fol. 19r Tercia bellatrix pars est et pacificatrix, In qua quosque bonos concomitatur honos.

[Proem: The Present Yorkist Position]

Comprised is in smal this part secounde, second part [of the poem] An ooste to numbir, and a legioun. The numbers in an armyline980 In foylis is it fewe, in fruyt fecounde: folios fruit fertile The salvature of al religioun salvation Is founde heryn for every regioun. Wel to digeste this, God graunte us grace, understand And by the werre His reste to purchace! war His peace

line985 O gracious our kyng! Thei fleth his face. They (i.e., the Yorkists) flee Where ar they now? Summe are in Irelonde, Some In Walys other are, in myghti place, Others are in Wales And other han Caleys with hem to stonde: have Calais standing with them Thei robbeth and they reveth see and londe. plunder sea and landline990 The kyng, or his ligeaunce or amytee, loyal people or friends Thei robbe anende, and sle withoute pitee. constantly slay

The Goldon Eagle and his Briddys III, three Birds (see note) Her bellys ha they broke, and jessys lorne. Their bells have fetters lost The Silver Bere his lynkys al to fle, Bear flees his chainsline995 And bare is he behinde and eke beforne. also before The Lily-whit Lyoun, alas! forsworne Is his colour and myght; and yet detrude Entende thei the lond, and it conclude.

fol. 19v Of bestialité, lo! ye so rude! Lo! Like beasts you are so uncivilizedline1000 The noblis alle attende on the Antilope; Antelope Yourself and youris, ye yourself exclude, And lose soule and lyif. Aftir your coope guilt Axe humble grace, and sette yourself in hope, Ask [for] For and ye wiste hou hard lyif is in helle, if you knewline1005 No lenger wolde ye with the murthre melle. consort with murderers

Ye se at eye, it nedeth not you telle, You see by eye not [be to] you told Hou that the beestis and the foulys alle, birds That gentil are, ar sworn your wrong to quelle; noble end Ypocrisie of oothis wil not walle oaths protectline1010 You fro the sword, but rather make it falle On your avarous evel governaunce, avaricious That may be called pride and arrogaunce.

This geve I theim to kepe in remembraunce: Goode Antilop, that eny blood shal spille, Antelopeline1015 Is not thi wille. Exiled is vengeaunce From al thi thought; hemself, alas, thei kille. themselves O noble Pantere! Of thi breth the smylle, Panther smell of your breath Swete and pleasaunt to beest and briddis alle, birds It oonly fleth the Dragon fild with galle. Dragon alone flees it, filled with gall

line1020 What helpeth it, lo, th’angelis wil falle On him with al our werreours attonys; warriors at once Thei muste nede his membris al to malle. must need to crush all his members Of this matere I stynte until eftsonys, cease later And fast I hast to write as it to doone is, hastenline1025 That myght in right uppon the wrong prevaile In londe and see, by knyghthode and bataile.

[Size of an Army (Veg. 3.1)]

fol. 20r Lo, thus th’electioun with exercise selection training And ordynaunce, as for a legioun, formations Exployed is, as writeth olde wise. Presentedline1030 What ha we next? Belligeratioun. have Warfare O Jesse flour! Jhesu, salvatioun And savyour, commaunde that my penne To thin honour go right heryn and renne. move quickly

An oste, of exercise, exercitus army, from exercisingline1035 Hath holde of olde his name; a legioun its name [in Latin] As an electioun is named thus, And a choors of cohortatioun. cohort The princys of her mynystratioun their Her namys have, and aftir her degréline1040 The chevetaynys undir named be. chieftains

Exercitus, that is to seyn an ooste, Is legiounys, or a legioun. Tweyne is ynough, and IIII is with the moste, Two four And oon suffiseth in sum regioun.line1045 Therof, with ayde and horsmen of renoun, auxiliaries and horsemen As needful is, groweth good governaunce In every londe, and parfit prosperaunce. perfect

What is an ayde? It is stipendiaryis auxiliary paid men (i.e., mercenaries) Or souldiours conduct of straunge londe, brought from other landsline1050 To such a numbir as it necessary is. Aftir the legioun thei for to stonde In ordynaunce, to make a myghti honde. formation mighty hand Heryn who wil be parfit and not erre, Of this perfect Tak maysterys of armys and of werre. Achieve mastery war

fol. 20v This was the wit of princys wel appreved, approvedline1056 And ofte it hath be seid and is conclude, has been said That oostis over-grete be myscheved over-large armies are undone More of her owne excessif multitude by their own Then of her foon, that thenne wil delude by their foes, wholine1060 Her ignoraunce, that cannot modifie [Them because of] their control The suffisaunce, an ooste togeder and gye. multitude, [of] an army guide [it]

To gret an oost is hurt in mony cace. Too large many cases First, slough it is in journeyinge and longe: sluggish long (i.e., it stretches out) Forthi mysaventure it may difface, mishaps may disorganize itline1065 Passagis hard, and floodis hye amonge. Expense eek of vitaile is over stronge, also of victuals too costly And if thei turne bak and onys fle, flee at once They that escape, aferd ay aftir be. will be ever after afraid

Therfore it was the gise amonge the wise, guidanceline1070 That of the werres had experience, wars Oonly to take an oost as wil suffice, Of preved and acheved sapience, proven wisdom In chivalerys that han done diligence knights who had In exercise of werre. A lerned ooste experienced (i.e., veteran) armyline1075 Is sure, an unlerned is cost for-loste. a cost already lost

In light bataile, oon legioun with ayde, That is, X Ml men o fote, and too 10,000 footmen Thousand on hors, sufficed as thei saide. 2,000 on horseback They with a lord no grete estat to goo, lesser lordline1080 And with a gret estate as mony mo. And for an infinit rebellioun long-term Twey dukys and tweyn oostys went adoun. Two dukes and two armies

[Maintaining Health in the Army (Veg. 3.2)]

fol. 21r Provisioun be mad for sanytee sanitization In watre, place, and tyme and medycyne water-supply seasonline1085 And exercise. In place, ther hath be where has been The pestilence, his place anoon resigne. this place immediately abandon To weet marice and feeld to hard declyne. Over-wet marshes fields too To high, to lough, to light, to derk, to colde, Too low To hoot, is ille. Attemperaunce be holde. hot Temperaunce

line1090 In snow and hail and frost and wintir shouris, showers An ooste beyng, most nedes kacche colde. For wyntir colde affrayeth somer flourys, wears away summer flowers And mareys watir is unholsom holde. marsh held unhealthy Good drinke and holsom mete away wil folde wholesome foods will drive awayline1095 Infirmytee; and fer is he fro wele, far from well-being That with his foon and sekenesse shal dele. with [both] foes and illness deal

Cotidian at honde ha medycyne: Ever at hand have First for the prince, as needful is his helth [for] his health is as vital To th’ooste as to the world the sonne shyne; as the sun’s shining is to the worldline1100 His prosperaunce procureth every welth. prosperity But let not exercise goon o stelthe; go neglected Holde ever it. Ful seelde be thei seek Very seldom are they sick That ever uppon exercise seeke.

In over-colde and hoot, kepe thee covert, keep yourself shelteredline1105 And exercise in tymes temperate: Footmen in high and lough, feeld and desert; Footmen [train] low An hors to lepe a dich, an hege, a yate. hedge gate Tranquillité with peax and no debate Relaxation peace Be sadly kept, exiled al envie; rigorouslyline1110 Grace in this governaunce wil multiplie.

[Feeding the Army (Veg. 3.3)]

fol. 21v Ha purviaunce of forage and vitaile Have provisions victuals For man and hors; for iron smyteth not smites So sore as honger doth, if foode faile. as hunger does The colde fyer of indigence is hoote, destitution burnsline1115 And wood theron goth every man, God woot; insane God knows For other wepen is ther remedie, remedy [from wounds] But on the dart of hongir is to deye.

Or have ynough, or make a litil werre, Either make [more] by raiding And do the stuf in placys stronge and sure. hold the materialsline1120 In more then ynough, me may not erre; [having] more than enough, men The moneyles by chevishaunce procure — borrowing [must] procure [it] As lauful is, I mene, nat usure. lawful not [through] usury But tak aforn the day of payment: payback before It loseth not, that to the prince is lent.

line1125 What man is hool in his possessioun, secure possessions If he ha no defense of men of armys? has armed men Beseged if me be, progressioun if I am, further acquisition That ther be noon, and noo vitail in arm is, none victuals are in hand O woful wight, ful careful thin alarm is! woeful man, full of cares is yourline1130 Honger within, and enmytee abowte, [If] hunger [is] enmity A warse foo withinn is then withoute. worse

And though thi foo withoute an honger be, if your foe He wil abide on honger thee to sle; wait slay Forthi comynge a foo, vitaile thee, Therefore supply yourselfline1135 And leve hym noght, or lite, unworth a stre; not worth a straw Whete and forage and flesh, fissh of the see, meat Wyn, salt, and oyle, fewel and every thinge oil, fowl That helpeth man or beest to his lyvinge:

fol. 22r Tak al, thi foo comyng, and mak an oyeline1140 That every man to strengthes ha ther goodis, As thei of good and lyves wil ha joye, And negligentys to compelle it good is. it is good to compel [those who are] negligent The feriage be take away fro flodis, ferries from rivers The briggis on the ryverys to breke, bridgesline1145 And passagis with falling tymbour steke. blocked

The yatis and the wallys to repare, repair The gunnys and engynys and tormente, tormenta (i.e., torsion engines) And forge newe, ynowe if that ther nare; enough near Ful late is it, if thi foo be presente, Tooline1150 And fere ingoth, if hardinesse absente. fear arises Bewar of this, and every thing provide, That fere fle, and good corage abide. So that fear flees

Golde it is good to kepe, and make stoor a stockpile Of other thing, and spende in moderaunce. moderationline1155 More and ynough to have, it is not soor, And spare wel, whil ther is aboundaunce: save To spare of litil thing may lite avaunce. help little By pollys dele, and not by dignitee, By individual rations rank So was the rewle in sage antiquytee.

line1160 And best bewar, when that thin adversary your Wil swere grete, ye by the Sacrament, Makes great oaths, even And use that, ye and by Seint Mary, And al that is undir the firmament. Beleve nat his othe! His false ententline1165 Is this: thi trewe entent for to begile. The preef herof nys passed but a while. proof of this is shown soon enough

fol. 22v Wel ofter hath fals simulatioun Far more often has Desceyved us, then opon werre. And where open war Me swereth ofte, it is deceptioun. Menline1170 Judas, away from us! Com thou no nere! nearer Thou gretest, Goddis child as thaugh thou were, God's You weep, as if But into thee is entred Sathanas, Satan has entered And thou thiself wilt hange, an hevy cas!

[Preventing Mutiny (Veg. 3.4)]

Sumtyme amonge an ooste ariseth roore. a riot arisesline1175 Of berth, of age, of contré, of corage birth (i.e., social class) Dyvers thei are, and hoom thei longe sore, Diverse they sorely long for home And to bataile thei wil, or out of wage. be discharged What salve may this bolnyng best aswage? assuage this tumor Wherof ariseth it? Of ydilnesse. idlenessline1180 What may aswage it best? Good bisinesse. busy-ness

With drede in oost to fight thei are anoyed, fear of fighting the army is afflicted And speke of fight, when theim wer lever fle, they would rather flee And with the fode and wacch thei are acloyed. rations wearied “Where is this felde? Shal we no batail see?line1185 Wil we goon hoom? What say ye, sers?” “Ye, ye!” go home sirs And with her hed to fighting are thei ripe their head (i.e., commander) ready Al esily, but he the swellinge wipe. tumor [must] remove

A remedie is, when thei are asonder, The graunt tribune, or els his lieutenaunt, great tribune (officer)line1190 With discipline of armys holde hem undir Severously, tech hem be moderaunte, Severely, teach To God devout, and fait of werrys haunte, feats of war (i.e., military drills) repeat The dart, baliste, and bowe, and cast of stoon, And swymme and renne and leep, tech everychoon. swim run leap

fol. 23r Armure to bere, and barrys like a sworde, Armor bars [made] like swordsline1196 To bere on with the foyn, and not to shere, carry point cut And smyte thorgh a plank other a boorde, thrust through board And myghtily to shake and caste a spere, brandish And loke grym, a Ml men to fere, 1,000 men to frightenline1200 And course a myghti hors with spere and shelde, ride And daily se ho is flour of the feelde. see who is the flower (best) in the field

To falle a grove or wode, and make a gate fell wood Thorgh it, and make a dike, and hewe adoun A cragge, or thurl an hil, other rebate tunnel a hill, or reduceline1205 A clyf, to make an even regioun, flat area Or dowbil efte the dike abowte a toun, double the height of To bere stoon, a boolewerk forto make, carry stones, a bulwark Other sum other gret werk undirtake. Or some

The chivaler, be he legionary, knight, whether he [is a] legionnaireline1210 As seide it is beforn, on hors or foote, Or aydaunt, that is auxiliary, On hors or foot — if that thei talk or mote discuss Of werre, and reyse roore, up by the roote war, and raise riot Hit shal be pulde with myghti exercise pulledline1215 Of werreourys, governed in this wise.

Commende, and exercise, and holde hem inne, them in For when thei ha the verrey craft to fight, have the very skills Thei wil desire it, wel this for to wynne. He dar go to, that hath both art and myght. dares go to [it], wholine1220 And if a tale is tolde that eny knyght Is turbulent other sedicious, or Examyne it the duke, proceding thus:

fol. 23v The envious man, voide his suggestioun, And knowe the trowth of worthi and prudentline1225 Personys, that withouten questioun Wil say the soth, of feith and trewe entent. truth And if the duke so fynde him turbulent, disorderly Dissever him, and sende hym ellys where, Separate Sum myghti feet to doon as thaugh it were:

line1230 To kepe a castel, make a providence, gather provisions Or warde a place, and do this by th’advyce guard Of counsel, and commende his sapience, wisdom That he suppose hymself heryn so wise, [In order] that That therof hath he this honour and price. distinctionline1235 So wittily do this, that he, rejecte, [though] rejected Suppose that to honour he is electe. elected

For verreily, the hole multitude truly, the whole assembly Of oon assent entendeth not rebelle, But egged ar of theim that be to rude, are egged on by those wholine1240 And charge not of heven or of helle, have no regard for With mony folk myght thei her synnys melle; they might mix their sins Thei were at ease her synnys forto wynne, Suppose thei, if mony be therinne.

But use not the medycyne extremeline1245 Save in thin utterest necessitee. Except in your most utter That is, the crymynous to deth to deme to condemn the guilty to death The principals: by hem that other be ring-leaders: by them (their example) Aferd to roore.Yet better is to se Afraid to riot see An oost of exercise in temperaunceline1250 Obeysaunt, then for feere of vengeaunce.

[Military Signals (Veg 3.5)]

fol. 24r The werriours ha myche thing to lerne, many things to learn And grace is noon, to graunte negligence, Wher mannys helth is taken to governe. men’s safety To lose that, it is a gret offense.line1255 And sikerly, the best diligence certainly Unto th’onour of victory t’ascende, The seygnys is or tokenys t’attende. Are the signals

For in bataile, when al is on a roore, in uproar The kynge or princys precept, who may here king or commander hearline1260 In such a multitude? And evermore Is thinge of weght in hond, and gret matere, in progress And how to doon, right nedful is to lere; do [it] learn Therfore in every oste antiquitee Hath ordeyned III signys forto be. 3 kinds of signals

line1265 Vocal is oon, and that is mannys voys. a man’s voice Semy-vocal is trompe and clarioun Semi-vocal And pipe or horn. The thridde macth no noys, makes no noise And mute it hight or dombe, as is dragoun Or th’egil or th’image or the penoun,line1270 Baner, pensel, pleasaunce, or tufte or creste Or lyvereys on shildir, arm, or breste.

Signys vocal in wacch and in bataile watch Be made, as wacch woordis: “Feith, hope, and grace,” watch-words (i.e., camp passwords) Or “Help us God,” or “Shipman, mast, and saile,”line1275 Or other such, aftir the tyme and place. according to Noo ryme or geeste in hem be, ner oon trace, No rhyme or story not one Ne go thei not amonge us, lest espyes Nor should they go [unchanged] spies With wepon of our owne out putte our eyis. eyes

fol. 24v Semy-vocals, as trumpe and clariounline1280 And pipe or horn, an hornepipe thoo It myghte be; the trumpe, of gretter soun, Toward batail blewe up “Go to, go to!” The clarions techeth the knyghtys do, And signys, hornys move. And when thei fight, And signals [or] horns move [them]line1285 Attonys up the soun goth al on hight. At once goes on high (i.e., all over)

To wacch or worch or go to felde, a trumpe work Hem meved out, and to retourne; and signys Moved them Were moved, how to do, by hornys crompe, curved First to remeve, and fixe ayeyn ther digne is. appropriateline1290 Oonly the clarioun the knyghtis signe is; Fight and retrayt and chace, or feer or neer, retreat either far or near The clarion his voys declareth cleer.

What so the duke commaundeth to be doon Whatever do In werk or wacch or feeld, or frith or werre, either peaceline1295 At voys of these it was fulfild anoon. At the sound at once The signys mute, in aventure a sterre, visual signals perhaps a star A portcolys, a sonne, it wil not erre, portcullis sun In hors, in armature, and in array On They signifie, and make fresh and gay.

line1300 Al this in exercise and longe usage training and long usage Is to be knowe. And if a dust arise, Theere is an oost, or sum maner outrage. trouble With fiyr a signe is mad in dyvers wise fire made in many ways Or with a beem. Uche in his contré gise [hanging] beam. Each country’s wayline1305 His signys hath, and daily is to lerne, (i.e., they must be changed daily) That aftir hem men gide hem and governe.

[Caution When Near the Enemy (Veg 3.6)]

fol. 25r Tho that of werre have had experience, Afferme that ther is in journeyinge traveling Gretter peril then is in resistence Greater peril than fightingline1310 Of fers batail. For in the counterynge A fierce battle Men armed are oonly for yeynstondinge defense And expugnatioun of hem present overcoming of those In fight; theron oonly ther bowe hath bent. their bow is only bent on this

Their sword and hert al preste ereither fight; are both pressed into the fightline1315 In journeyinge ereither lesse attente is. are less ready Assault sodeyne a day other by nyght, For unavised men ful turbulent is. unprepared Wherfore avised wel and diligent is The duke to be purveyed for unwist, prepared unknown [things]line1320 And redy is the forseyn to resiste. foreseen [things]

A journal is in every regioun An itinerary First to be had, wheryn he thinketh fight, expects to Wheryn have he a pleyn descriptioun Of every place, and passage a forsight, an intelligenceline1325 The maner, wey, both turnyng and forthright, straight The dale and hil, the mountayn and the flood. Purtreyed al to have is holdon good. Illustrated held

This journal is to shewe dukys wise to [be] shown [to] Of that province, or as nygh as may be, as near [to it] as possibleline1330 The purtreyture and writing forto advise. illustrations And of the contrey men a serch secré natives secret Himself he make, and lerne in veritee and [also] learn the truth Of hem, that on her lyf wil undirtake, From them on [peril of] their life That thus it is, and under-warde hem make. his loyal subjects make them

fol. 25v Tak gidis out of hem, beheste hem grete, guides promise them great [things]line1336 As to be trewe, her lyif and grete rewarde, truthful their lives And other if thei be, with deth hem threte, otherwise death And sette a wayt secret on hem, frowarde Whethour thei thinke be other towarde;line1340 Thei, this seynge, wil wel condite and lede, Of grete rewarde and deth for hope and drede.

Tak wise and used men, and not to fewe; experienced Good is it not to sette on II or III The doubte of al, though thei be perfit trewe; fate of all, even if they are perfectlyline1345 The simpil man supposeth ofte he be Weywiser then he is, and forthi he More wise therefore Behesteth that he can not bringe aboute; Promises And such simpilnesse is forto doubte.

And good it is, that whidirward goth th’ooste, wherever the army goesline1350 Secret it be. The Mynotaurys mase Minotaur’s maze Doctryned hem to sey: “Whidir thou gooste, Kepe it secret. Whil thi foomen go gase gaze Aboute her bekenys, to tende her blase, their watchfires their blaze Go thou the way that thei suppose leeste leastline1355 Thou woldest go. For whi? It is sureste.”

Espyis are, of hem bewar! Also [There] are spies The proditours that fle from oost to ooste, traitors Bewar of hem, for swere thei never so, even if they swear never [to do] so They wil betray, and make of it their booste. boastline1360 Escurynge is to have of every cooste; Reconnoitering coast Men wittiest on wightest hors by nyght strongest May do it best, but se the hors be wight. strong

fol. 26r In a maner himself betrayeth he, Whos taken is by negligence th’espie.line1365 Forthi bewar, and quicly charge hem se Therefore look out On every side, and fast ayeyn hem hye. return Horsmen beforn eke ever have an eye; in front On uch an half footmen, and cariage On both flanks footmen baggage Amyddis is to kepe in the viage. journey

line1370 Footmen it is to have and of the beste Horsmen behinde; uppon the tail a foo upon the rear a foe Wil sette among, and sumtyme on the breste, front And on the sidis wil he sette also. With promptitude it is to putte him fro. speed he must be repulsedline1375 Light herneysed, and myghtiest that ride, Doubte if ther is, putte hem uppon that side.

And archery withal is good to take, And if the foo falle on, on every side, Good wacch on every side it is to make.line1380 Charge every man in herneys fast abide, Order to stay in secure harness And wepynys in hondys to provide. weapons Selde hurteth it, that is wel seyn beforn, Seldom does it hurt anything And whos is taken sleping, hath a scorn!

Antiquitee provided eek, that roore chaosline1385 Arise not in th’oost, for trowbelinge the army The chivalers behinde other before, knights As when the folk that cariage bringe, lead the baggage Ar hurt, or are aferd of on comynge, afraid a [foe] coming And make noyse. Herfore helmettis wight Therefore strong helmetsline1390 A fewe uppon the cariours were dight. carters were given

fol. 26v A baner hadde thei togedre to, Alway CC undir oon banere; 200 under each banner The forfighters asondred so therfro, fighters in front were separated from them That no turbatioun amonge hem were, confusionline1395 If that ther felle a conflicte enywhere. And as the journeyinge hadde variaunce, So the defense had divers ordynaunce: diverse

In open felde, horsmen wold rather falle fields, horsemen On then footmen; in hil, mareys, and woodis, marshesline1400 Footmen rather. In feeld and frith to walle field and woods protect An oost with myght, as wil the place, it good is, as well as And to bewar that slough viage or floodis. muddy road or rivers Asondre not the chivalerys, for thynne If that me be, ther wil the foo bygynne.

line1405 Therfore amonge it is to sette wyse Doctours, as of the feelde, or other grete: The forgoer to sette unto his sise, And hem that beth to slough, forthward to gete. To fer aforn, and sole, a foo may bete; Too far ahead alone beatline1410 He may be clipped off, that goth behinde. cut off, who goes behind And to goon hole as o man, that is kynde. So to go together proper

In placys as him semeth necessary, An adversaunt wil sette his busshement, ambush Not in apert, but in covert to tary, open space in secrecy waitline1415 And falle uppon. The duke heer diligent It is to be, to have his foomen shent; foes harmed But every place it is the duke to knowe, So that his witte her wylis overthrowe. their plots

fol. 27r If thei dispose in mountayn oponly they arrayline1420 T’assaulte, anoon ha prevely men sent To assault, at once have secretly To an herre hil, that be therto neer by, higher nearby And so sette on, that of the busshement Above her hed, and of thiself present. their heads Thei be aferd, and sech away to fle, [will] be afraid seekline1425 When over-hede and in the frount thei se. they see [you]

And if the way be streyt and therwith sure, road safe Let hewe adoun aboute, and make it large: hew down [growth] around it In large way, peril is noo good ure. peril is uncommon Also this is t’attende as thinge of charge to be practiced as an important matterline1430 (Ye, rather then governe ship or barge): That wher the foo by nyght other by day whether Is used oon to falle and make affray, typically

And voyde that. It is to seen also, What is his use, on hors outher o foote, preference or on footline1435 With fele or fewe his feetys for to doo, many or few his feats That sapience his werkys alle unroote. wisdom (i.e., forethought) render useless Of balys also grete is this the boote: even great evils remedy Dayly to gynne go in such an hour begin to march As may be sure both oost and governour.

line1440 And yet bewar of simulatioun. deception To festeying calle in sum fugitif feasting deserter And here him wel with comendatioun, And lerne first, hou fellen thei in strif, how they fell in trouble And him beheste an honorabil lif. promise himline1445 Lerne of him al, and thenne aday or nyght, everything [about the enemy] When thei suppose leest, mak hem afright.

[How to Cross a River (Veg 3.7)]

fol. 27v Agreved ofte are oostis negligent, When it is hard passage over the floodys, rivers For if the cours be over violentline1450 Or over deep, gret peril in that flood is. A remedy to fynde heryn right good is, For hevy men, pagis, and cariage pages Ar drowned oftyn tyme in such a rage.

The depth assay, and make of horsys hye Test the depth goline1455 Tweyne eggys: oon be sette ayenst the streem, Two lines current The myght therof to breke; another plye strength of it to break set Benethe that, t’awayte uppon the fleem flow And charge theim, that thei attende on hem order them watch for those That faile foote, and brynge theim alonde, Whose footing failsline1460 And thus til th’ooste be over, shal they stonde.

The flood is over deep in playn cuntré, [If] flat country Departe it ofte, and make it transmeabil: fordable (i.e., more shallow) That most be doon with dykis gret plenté. many ditches And wil it not be so, sette ore a gabil,line1465 On empti vesselling ley mony a tabil Fro lond to lond a brigge is made anoon, And sure ynough it is for hors and mon. secure horse and man

Horsmen have had of reed or seggis shevys, bundles made of reeds or sedges Theron carying their armure as thei swymme,line1470 But better is, to voiden al myschevys, avoid all accidents Ha skafys smale, and hem togedir trymme small skiffs With coorde alonge, atteynynge either brymme, attached to either side And anchore it and tabil it at large, cover And sure it is as arch or shippe or barge. secure bridge

fol. 28r Yet war the foo, for uppon this passage bewareline1476 He leyt awayt! Anoon thin ooste dyvide lies in wait! At once And stakys picch, encounter their viage, drive [into the ground] And in that stede, if good is thought t’abide, place to wait Mak up a strong bastel on eyther side, bastionline1480 And there, as axeth chaunce, it is to stonde And ha vitaile out of ereither londe. have victuals from either bank

[How to Build Camp (Veg. 3.8)]

Now castellinge in journey is to write. fortifying an encampment Not everywhere is founden a citee, An ooste to loge, and vilagis to lite lodge villages too littleline1485 For it ther ar, and siker thei ne be, secure they are not As, to be sure, it is necessitee To take a grounde as good as may be fonde, And theruppon to make our castel stonde.

Leve not the better grounde unto thi foo.line1490 Bewar of that se, watir, ayer, and londe Be sure Holsom be there, and foode ynough ther to Wholesome For man and hors, and woode ynough at honde. No force if rounde or anguler it stonde, It matters not But feyrest is the place and moost of strengthe, Though the bestline1495 When twey in brede is thryis in the lengthe. two in breadth thrice (i.e., 2x3)

Mesure a grounde, as wil thin ooste suffice. To wide it is, thin ooste therin is rare. [If] it is too wide, your sparse To streyt, thei be to thicke. A myddil sise Too narrow size Is beste. Now make it up, no labour spare. establish itline1500 It mot be doon, theryn is our welfare! It must be done As for a nyght, mak up of turf a wale a turf wall And stake it, on our foo the poyntis t’avale. against our foe directing the points

fol. 28v A turf it is, when gras and herbe is grave pulled Up with the grounde, with irons mad therfore. made [by] iron toolsline1505 A foote brode, a foote and half it have In lengthe, and half a fote thick, no more. foot But if the lond solute be, not herfore earth is loose, not of that kind Turf like a brik to make of necessary, Thenne is to make a dike tumultuary. temporary (hastily raised) ditch

line1510 Make it III foote deep, and V obrede, 3 feet deep and 5 [feet] wide And stake it as beforn, utward to stonde; angled outward O nyght to dwelle heryn it is no drede. One And if thi foo be nygh, him to yeynstonde, near withstand A gretter werk it is to take on honde.line1515 Sette up in ordir every man his sheeld, Whil princys and prudentys parte a feeld. officers and instructors mark out

Uch centyner take up the werk footmel, century a footage of the work With sword igord, anoon caste up the dich, armed ditch And IX foote obrede wil do wel, 9 feet wideline1520 XI is as good; but poore and rich 11 feet poor and rich [alike] Most on this werk, and even worch ilich, Must work alike XIII foote obrede or XVII 13 or 17 feet wide Is best of alle a werre to sustene.

The numbir odde is ever to observe,line1525 And hege it, other stake it up to stonde, raise it, or Therto ramayle and bowys ar to kerve, small branches boughs carve Areyse it to his hegth above londe, And make it castel-like with myghti honde, With loupis, archeturis, and with tourys. loopholes, barbicans towersline1530 O chivalers! In this werk your honour is

.fol. 29r X footemel the centeneris take A length of 10 feet This werk to doon, and ther uppon attende, That every company his cant up make share And stynte not, until a perfit ende cease perfectline1535 Of al be mad. And who doth mys is shende. wrong punished Forwhi? The prince himself goth al aboute And by and by behaldeth every rowte. company

But lest assault felle on hem labouringe, fall on those The hors, and thei on foote of dignitee,line1540 That shal not worch, in circuyte a rynge Shal make, and kepe off al hostilitie. prevent all And first, as for the signys, majestie Assigne place, for more venerabil Then thei, ther is nothing, this is notabil.

line1545 And aftir that, the duke and erlys have earls The pretory, a grounde out set therfore, praetorium (i.e., headquarters) And for trybunys out a grounde thei grave, tribunes Her tabernaclis thei theryn t’enstore tents pitch For legions and aydis, lesse and more, auxiliariesline1550 On hors other o foote; a regioun And place is had to picch her paviloun. their

And IIII on hors and IIII o foote a-nyght 4 on horseback and 4 on foot each night In every centeyn hadde wacch to kepe, century watch And it deperted was, to make it light, dividedline1555 That reasonabil tymys myght thei slepe. For right as houris aftir houris crepe, So went the wach, and kept his cours aboute, Footmen withinne, and horsed men withoute.

fol. 29v Thei go to wacch by warnyng of the trumpe, trumpetline1560 And there abide until their houris ende. Away thei go, by voys of hornys crumpe. curved horns A wacch of serch also ther was t’attende A check on sentries That wel the tyme of wacchinge were spende. Trybunys made of theim th’electioun,line1565 That hadde of al the wacch directioun. command

And twye a day the contrey was escured twice a day scoured By horsmen, in the morn and aftirnoon; Not by the same alway, for that endured Shuld not ha been. This feleship hath doon: haveline1570 They most reste, and other wynne her shoon. win their shoes (i.e., prove themselves) Thus bothe man and hors may be releved, Ye, ofte ynough, and not but litil greved.

And on the duk hangeth the governaunce, That in this castellinge he ha vitaile encampment he has victualsline1575 For every wight withoutyn variaunce, man Clooth, wepon, herneysing, that nothing faile. harnessing And in fortressis nygh it is availe [smaller] forts nearby Footmen to have and hors; ferde is thi foo, afraid is your foe If thou on every side uppon him goo.

[Choosing Battle or a Raid (Veg. 3.9)]

line1580 Mortal bataile in hourys II or III 2 or 3 hours Termyned is, and hope on that oon side Is ended Is al agoon. But a good prince is he That can him and his ooste so wisely gide, With litil slaught to putte his foo fro pride, little slaughterline1585 Pluck him unwar, and fray his folk to renne Catch him unaware frighten run Away, and myghtily sette aftir thenne.

fol. 30r On this behalve it is ful necessary, That olde and exercised sapience trained wisdom The duke to counsel have, and with hem tary, stayline1590 As wil the tyme, and here their sentence hear advice Of vinqueshinge covertly by prudence vanquishing craftily Or by apert conflict, that is, bataile; open The surer way to take and moost availe.

Here hem heryn, and what folk hath thi foo, Hear themline1595 And charge that thei glose not, for it flatter Doth oftyn harm. And here theim also hear them Speke of her exercise, her strength and wit, their And to their adversayrys how thei quyt acquitted Hemself aforn, and whether his horsmen Themselves beforeline1600 Be myghtier in fight, or his footmen.

Also the place of conflicte is to lerne, And what thi foo himself is, what his frendis; Wher he be wys a werre to governe, Whether And whar thei lyve as angelis or fendis, whether fiendsline1605 Wher variaunt, or uchon others frend is, And wher thei use fight in ordynaunce typically fight in formation Or foliously, withoute governaunce. incautiously

And every poynt forseyd, and other moo, aforesaid more Considir in thin oost, and tak avis adviceline1610 Of hem, what is the beste to be do. And peyse al in balaunce, and ay be wys. weigh everything always be wise And if thin ooste is ace, and his is syis, an ace a six What so thei sey, covertly by prudence Dispose thee to make resistence.

fol. 30v Dischere nat thi folk in eny wise: Despair notline1616 The ferde anoon is redy for to fle. fearful are soon ready Be vigilaunt and holde inne exercise, And se thin hour. Ful oftyn tyme hath he await your time. Very often The herre hand, that kepeth him secré. higher hand (i.e., victory)line1620 Avaunte not for colde ner for hete, Boast nor For smale dooth that speketh over grete.

[How to Lead an Inexperienced Army (Veg. 3.10)]

Certeyn it is, that knyghthode and bataile So stronge is it, that therby libertee Receyved is with encreste and availe: growth and aidline1625 Therby the croune is hol in majestee crown is held And uche persone in his dignitee. Chastised is therby rebellioun, Rewarded and defensed is renoun.

Forthi the duke, that hath the governaunce,line1630 Therof may thinke he is a potestate, great dignitary To whom betakyn is the prosperaunce prosperity Of al a lond and everych estate. The chivalers, if I be fortunate, The citesens, and alle men shal be citizensline1635 If I governe wel, in libertee.

And if a faut is founden in my dede, fault deeds Not oonly me, but al the commyn wele commonwealth So hurteth it, that gretly is to drede Dampnatioun, though no man with me dele. Condemnationline1640 And forthi, negligence I wil repele disavow And do my cure in feithful diligence best With favoraunce of Goddis excellence.

fol. 31r If al is out of use and exercise, inexperienced and untrained As forto fight in every legiounline1645 Chese out the myghtiest, the wight and wise, And aydis with, of like condicioun. [among] auxiliaries also With their avice unto correctioun advice Reduce it al by his auctorité The duke, and use a grete severitee. severity [in punishment]

line1650 Amended al as sone as semeth thee, as soon as you can Make out of hem a stronge electioun: Disparpiled lerne if thi foomen bee, And when thei lest suppose in their reasoun, least think it possible Fal on, and putte hem to confusioun. Fall upon [them]line1655 Therof thi folk shal take an hardinesse And daily be desirous on prowesse.

At brigge or hard passage or hillis browe [a] bridge hill’s pass Is good to falle uppon. Or if ther be Mire or mareys, or woode or grovis rowe marsh a row of treesline1660 Or aggravaunt other difficultee, To falle uppon is thenne utilitee The hors to sech. Unarmed ar aslepe; horsemen seek To falle uppon is good to take kepe. remember

Thus hardy hem, for whos is unexpert This emboldens themline1665 Of werre, and woundis seeth, and summe slayn, sees wounds, and some slain He weneth every strok go to his hert, feels And wiste he how, he wolde fle ful fayn. If he knew how flee quickly But and he fle, retourne him fast agayn. if he flees Thus with severitee and good usageline1670 Ther wil revive in theim a fyne corage. worthy courage

fol. 31v Dissensioun among foomen to meve, foes to stir Be thei rebellious or myscreaunt, It is to do; theimselven thei myscheve. they may harm themselves The traditour Judas was desperaunt; traitor despairingline1675 Himself he hynge. So wulle thei that haunt hanged will they engage in Rebellioun or ellis heresie. Alas! to fele thus wil lyve and deye. too many die

Oon thinge heryn is wisely to be seyn, herein (i.e., in this book) seen Of this matier that ther no man dispayre: despairline1680 As hath be doon, it may be doon ayeyn; A desolat castel man may repayre. In wynter colde, in somer dayis fayre Is good to se. So fareth exercise fares [the] practice Of knyghthode and of werre, as seyn the wise.

line1685 In Engelond til now was ther no werre there were no wars This LX yere, savynge at Seynt Albane, For 60 years, except St. Albans And oon bataile aftir the blasing sterre, comet And longe on hem that whirleth as the fane. Is not their owne cryme her owne bane? destructionline1690 Ther leve I that, and sey that exercise readiness Of werre may in peax revyve and rise. restore and raise up peace

Seyde ofte it is: the wepon bodeth peax, weapon presages peace And in the londe is mony a chivalere, That ha grete exercise doubtlesseline1695 And think I wil that daily wil thei lere, learn And of antiquitee the bokys here, hear And that thei here, putte it in devoyre, what they hear into practice That despetaunce shal fle comynge espoyre. despair hope

fol. 32r More esily a thing is al mad neweline1700 In many cas, then is an olde repared; than The plauntys growe, as olde tren up grewe, trees And otherwhile a riche thing is spared. sometimes somthing splendid It nedeth not to crave this declared, But go we se, what helpeth to prevaileline1705 Uppon the feelde in sette apert bataile.

[On the Day of Battle (Veg. 3.11)]

Here is the day of conflict uncerteyn, Here is to se deth, lif, honour, and shame. Glade us, o Lord, this day and make us fayn, Gladden rejoice And make us of this grete ernest a game! seriousnessline1710 Lord, make in us magnificent Thi name, Thin angelis commaunde in us t’attende, to wait upon us And she, Thi Modir, have us recommende.

Now is the duke the rather diligent, more especially That forth he goth bytwene espoyre and drede. hope and dreadline1715 Now glorious the prince is sapient; [is] the prince [who] is wise Now th’ignoraunt shal deye or harde spede. fare badly In this moment manhode and knyghtly dede deeds With Goddis honde is oonly to prevaile. God’s hand Now let se first, how wil our foon assaile. foe make the assault

line1720 The chivalers set forth first at the yate, gate Whether ye dwelle in castell or citee, And sette a frount or eny foo come ate, before Til th’ooste come out undir securitee. Go not to fer ne faste, for ye se, too far nor too fastline1725 A wery wyght hath spended half his myght, weary man And with the fresh is hard for him to fight.

fol. 32v And if thi foo the yatis ha forsette, foe has already beset the gates Delay it and attende what thei mene. observe what they intend Let hem revile and gnaste and gomys whette,line1730 And breke her ordynaunce, and when thei wene break their formation think Ye be aslepe, and they foryeton clene, Breke on hem unavised day or nyght: by surprise This wisdom is to do, manhode and myght.

[Judging the Temper of the Men (Veg. 3.12)]

It is to frayne also with diligence, [best] to inquireline1735 Wher chivalerys think it be to fight, Her countynaunce of fere or confidence Their measure of fear Wil be the juge: and truste not the knyght That is aferd, ner hym that of his myght nor Presumeth. Inexpert what is bataile, Boasts. Those inexperienced inline1740 Conforte hem yet. Telle hem thei shal prevaile,

And reasounynge reherce rebellioun Or myscreaunce, and how thei be forsake [will] be stripped Of alle goode. A prynce as a lyoun May telle that aforn thei ha be shake; speak before those [who] had been shakingline1745 And if he may with reasounynge awake An hardinesse in hem he may procede A boldness And ellys uttirly he stont in drede. otherwise he stands in danger

The first sight is ferdfullest for tho most fearful for those That never were in fight; and remedieline1750 Is in beholdinge ofte uppon her foo Out of a siker place or placys heye. secure high places Confort therof comyng, dispayr wil deye, despair will die Eke issuynge on hem with a prevaile issuing against them advantage Is hardyinge to falle to bataile. Emboldens [them]

[Selecting the Battleground (Veg. 3.13)]

fol. 33r Part of the victory is for to chese chooseline1756 The herre grounde, and ay the herre it be, higher always The more myght thou hast thi foo to ceese, you have to stop your foe And more sharp dounward the taclys fle, arrows fly Thi foon her fight is with the grounde and thee; The fight of your foes youline1760 Yet footmen hors, and hors footmen t’assaile, Theire is the cleef, the playn is hem t’availe.

[Ordering the Battle Lines (Veg. 3.14)]

And if thou may ha with the sonne and wynde, have with you sun Ereither on the bak is grete availe, Either at the back Ereither also wil thi foomen blynde. Orline1765 Ayeinst the wynde to fight, it is travaile, Against A cloude of dust wil therwithal assaile Thi foomen in the frount, and stony hem so paralyze them That they her wit shal seke what to do. shall search their wit to know

Forthi the prince it is be provident ought to have fore-thoughtline1770 And have a sight to wynde and dust and sonne, And on the turnyng take avisement, positioning Remembering hou certeyn hourys ronne: hours run (i.e., time changes things) It wil not stonde, as stood when thei begonne. remain, as it stood began West wil the sonne and happely the wynde,line1775 But seen he wil that thei come ay behinde, he (i.e. the prince) will see

And ever smyte his foomen in the face. And there an ende of that. Now wil we se, This ooste embateled uch in his place, engaged each in his position That noon errour in eny parti be:line1780 Therof wel ordeyned utilitee. well-ordered Wil nede arise, and his inordynaunce needs May brynge (as God defende!) us to myschaunce.

fol. 33v First is to sette a frounte, an ege his name [battle-]front, a line Is. Whi? The foon it shal behalde and bite, It shall behold and strike the enemyline1785 Ther chivalers, the worthiest of fame, There knights That wil with wisdom and with wepon smyte, direct [themselves] Noo knyght apostata, noon ypocrite: apostate hypocrite Feers, feithful, ofte appreved, olde, and wise Fierce veteran Knyghtys be thei, none other in no wise. no way

line1790 This ege in dayis olde a principaunt: line a first-line (principes) Of wurthi men, as princys, had his name. In th’ordre next personys valiaunt, Such as ha sought honour and voyded shame have avoided That ure have had, to make her foomen tame, typically their foesline1795 Sette hem theryn, armure and shot and spere That myghtily can use and wel bewere. defend

Next to the firste frount this is secounde, And as of old thei called hem hastate hastati Bycause of use of spere and shaftis rounde.line1800 Of armure is noon of hem desolate. III foote atwene had every man his state, 3 feet between So in a Ml pace o length stood fixe a length of 1,000 paces A Ml DC LX and VI. 1,666 [men]

Footmen were alle these, and stode in kyndeline1805 In duble raunge, and everych hadde III two lines each had 3 Foote, as byforn is seide, and VI behinde 6 behind (i.e., between the lines) The raungis hadde a sondir, so that he lines were offset That stood beforn, unlatted shulde be unfettered To drawe and welde his wepon, and to takeline1810 His veer to lepe or renne, assaut to make. leap or run

fol. 34r In tho tweyn orderys wer ripe and olde two lines Appreved werryours of confidence, That worthi men of armys had ben holde, With wighti herneysing for to defense. harnessingline1815 These as a wal to make resistence Ay stille stode, hem may noo man constreyne Always T’avaunce forth or reere o foote ayeyne. To move forward or back one

Thei trouble not, lest other troubled were, But fixe abide, and welcom th’adversary wait motionlessline1820 With sword and axe, with shot and cast of spere, Until thei yeve her coors to seyntewary, Or fle. For whi? Thei dar no lenger tary. Thenne aftir hem that ar to go for al, them (i.e., those in flight) For these stille abide as doth a wal.

line1825 Tho tweyne eggys ar clept ‘the grete armure,’ two lines are called And aftir hem the thridde cours is sette Of wighte and yonge and light herneysed sure, With dartys and with taclis sharpply whette, arrows whetted (i.e., sharpened) In dayis olde thei ferentayris hette. were called ferentariiline1830 The firthe cours was called the scutate, fourth scutati Spedy to renne and glad to go therate. run go out

Wight archery with hem to shote stronge, The yongest and the best and lustyeste Archers with crankelons and bowys longe. crossbows and long bowsline1835 The ferenters and thei togedir keste put together [are] Named the light armure, as for the beste Thorgh shulde passe and first with shot provoke The adverse part, and on hem reyse a smoke. raise a smoke (i.e., cause trouble)

fol. 34v If foomen fle, thei and horsmen the chaseline1840 Go swift uppon, and ellis thei retrete otherwise And thorgh the frount indresse hem to their place. through the front [line] return The grete armure, if thei com on an hete, come in an attack Is hem to yeve of sword and axis grete. give On hem the feeld is now for to defende.line1845 Thei gynne wel, God graunte hem a good ende! begin

The fifthe cours was the carrobaliste, carroballistae Manubalistys, and fundibulary Manuballistae fundibulatores And funditours, but now it is unwiste, fustibalii unknown Al this aray, and bumbardys thei cary, bombardsline1850 And gunne and serpentyn that wil not vary, [a] gun and serpentine Fouler, covey, crappaude, and colveryne, And other soortis moo then VIII or IXne. more than 8 or 9

Heer faughte thei, that hadde as yet no sheelde, Here As bachelers, with shot of dart or spere. recruitsline1855 The sixte cours, and last of al the feelde Wer sheeldys, of the myghtiest that were, The bellatourys beste in every gere; warriors Antiquytee denamed hem triayrys, triarii In theym, as in the thridde, al to repayre is.

line1860 Thei to be sadde in strength and requyete, resolute More fervently to make invasioun, To take her ease in ordir alwey seete, (i.e., be well-rested) And if aforn wer desolatioun, if [those] ahead were destroyed In theym therof was reperatioun: recoveryline1865 In eny part if ther wer desperaunce, desperation Thei turned it anoon to prosperaunce. quickly to success

[Spacing the Lines of Battle (Veg. 3.15)]

fol. 35r Now the podisme — as whos wil sey, the space podismus Of grounde upon to fight — it to se: Aforn is seide, hou in a Ml pace Before 1,000 pacesline1870 XVI C LX and VI may be, 1,666 [men] So chivalers everych ha footis III each have 3 feet To stonde upon a foote and VI abacke 6 [feet] behind them That for his veer and leep no rowme hym lacke. dodge and leap no room

VI eggys heer sette in a Ml pace 6 lines set hereline1875 Shal holde II and XLti feet in brede, 42 feet in breadth And so X Ml wil this grounde embrace. 10,000 [men] Thus t’embataile is sure, and fer fro drede! to fight far from fear And to II Ml pas III cours for nede 3 lines would need 2,000 paces In long goth out, so that the latitute depthline1880 In XXI foote itself enclude. 21 feet

As here is taught, X Ml men may stonde 10,000 In oon or ellys in II Ml pace, 1,000 or 2,000 paces And XXti Ml in the double londe, 20,000 And XXXti Ml in the threfolde space, 30,000line1885 And XL Ml IIII folde is t’embrace; 40,000 fourfold And this mesure is named the podisme, podismus Untaught in Doctrinal or in Grecisme.

A prince heryn expert, and hath to fight herein His feelde and of his folk the multitude,line1890 Shal seen anoon how thei shal stonde aright, stand rightly (i.e., be organized) And if the feeld is short and brod, conclude broad On rangis IX, and by this similitude, nine lines Be short and huge in brede, or longe and rare. breadth thin But myghtier is brede, and mo may spare.

fol. 35v And rare, an ooste if th’adversary seeth,line1896 He breketh on with hurt peraventure, Wher thicke outholdeth him ayenst his teeth. And ther an ende of that. But hoo shal cure whoever shall care Ereither, horn and myddis, to be sure, horn (i.e., wings) and centerline1900 Ordeyne that, or aftir dignitee either Or aftir th’adversayris qualitee.

[Deploying Horsemen (Veg. 3.16)]

The feelde o foote ordeyned in this gise, of footmen arranged manner To sette it is these hors at eyther horn, horsemen [placed] at either wing As writeth in her werkys olde wise, their works (i.e., books)line1905 That herneysed sperys be sette aforn, harnessed spearmen in front Unharneysed abak, that of be born in order to carry The storm fro theym, whil myghti hors defende fight from them Stronge archerye o foote to shote on ende.

For to defende have horsis myghtieste,line1910 Tho hornys in attempting is to sende wings Out hors the swiftest and the wightieste, most powerful To trouble theym sette on a pace on ende. The duke it is to knowe and comprehende, What hors ayenst what throngys ar to goon, against which throngsline1915 And whar he have hors as goode as his foon. foes

Their hors ar over us, theryn is boote: [If] their horsemen outnumbers remedy Tak wight and yonge men with sheeldis light, With twene on hors, sette one of theim o foote. With hem resiste our adversayrys myght.line1920 But this to take effecte and spede aright, for this go well These yonge men herof grete exercise training Moste have, as telleth werreourys wise. Must warriors

[Reserves (Veg. 3.17)]

fol. 36r And aftir al his ooste, a duke shal have behind all his army A myghti choyce of men on hors and foote,line1925 Ereither horn and breste for to save, Either wing or front (i.e., center) That if the boorys hed in wolde wrote, boar’s head roots around in the trees A sharre shere his groyn of by the roote. Shears [will] shear his snout off The boorys hed is a triangulere Of men, a boorys hed as thaugh it were.

line1930 If that come on, with tuskys forto breke tusks The breste or egge or wynge or outher horn, center, edge other wing A sharre clippe hem off, right by the cheke, shear [will] cut them off And with the same his wrot away be shorn, snout And set it al in ordir as beforn. it (i.e., the line)line1935 And if a place feynte, anoon a yawe place [in the lines] weakens saw (see note) Of myghti men aforn it is to drawe. before

Tribunys, erlis, or their lieutenauntys, Tribunes, earls Of these, myghtiest to renne and ride run Wer mad the capitayns and governauntys, Were madeline1940 And werriours hem named the subside. warriors named them the reserve For thei releved th’oost on every side, So that no man remeved from his place, For so to doon, myght al an oost difface. disorder

Eek out herof thei make a boorys hed Also out of these boar’s headline1945 And cuneus thei name it, or a wege. wedge As thondirynge with leyting flammys red flame-red lightning It russheth on our adversayrys egge foe’s line And shaketh off, ye mony a myghti segge, mighty man says And if it falle on either of the hornys, wingsline1950 It cracketh hem, as fier to-cracketh thornys. fire

[Positioning Commanders (Veg. 3.18)]

fol. 36v This stood behinde al other ordynaunce; Now is to se the place of uche estate. each leader On the right honde, withoute variaunce, The principal captayn or potestate, commanderline1955 That al the governaunce is taken ate, the command of everything There as the foot men and the hors dyvide, horsemen He hath his place, al to governe and gide. guide

Footmen and hors to rewle heer stondeth he, rule here The potestate and al this oost to gide,line1960 By premynence of his auctorité, preeminence To chere theim that myghtily shal ride, And theim o foote, as myghtily t’abide. A wynge is him to bringe aboute the horn around (i.e., flanking) the wing Him counteringe and on comynge beforn,

line1965 That is the lift horn of our adversary, left wing Aboute a wynge, and on the backe hem clappe, rear strike them And thei of their comyng the tyme wary. And if (as God defende!) amys it happe, a problem occurs Anoon the subside is to stoppe a gappe: reserve plug a gapline1970 For soveraynly on him that is t’attende, that (the reserve) is to attend And, as the cas requyreth, come on ende.

The duke secounde,and next in governaunce, second-in-command Amydde the frounte or forfrount is to stonde And sustene it t’abide in ordinaunce. encourage it to stay in formationline1975 The boorys hed his part is to withstonde, boar’s head A sharre out of the subside is at honde. share reserve hand Clappe it theron, and if ther nede a yawe, there [is] needed a saw Out of the same anoon it is to drawe.

fol. 37r The thridde duke, right wys and vigorous, third-in-commandline1980 His part it is to stonde on the lift horn left wing And myghti men with hym, for dangerous Is that to kepe, as writon is beforn. protect written His wynge he muste extende, and hadde thei sworn It, let hem not her wynge aboute hym clappe, (i.e., flank him)line1985 Subside at him be sone, if ought myshappe. Reserves [sent] soon

A clamour, clept an harrow or a shout, war-cry, called Until the fight begynne, noon is to rere. no one is to raise No werreour that wise is, out of doubt, veteran without doubt Wil shoute afer, therwith his foo to fere. from afar foe to frightenline1990 But when the shoute and shaftys fille his ere, shafts (i.e., sounds of spears and arrows) ears Their voyce yfere is so fel and horribil, voices together fierce That for to fere, it is not incredibil. to frighten

Be redy first, and first to sette uppon, ready [for battle] And first to shote and shoute and make affray, shoot attackline1995 With myghti countynaunce, that is the mon, moon That mornynge is to have a ful fayr day. This promptitude and wit and stronge aray array Thi foo seynge, is trembeling to fle, foe seeing [it] The palme of victory goynge with thee. palm [branch]

[Counter-actions (Veg. 3.19)]

line2000 And ay bewar, lest his right wynge clappe always beware assail Aboute thi lift horn. This is remedie: left wing To rech it out; and if that wil not happe, extend The wynge aboute thyn horn bacward replie Fold back your wing in response And fende hem off. Now fight for the maistrye, fend them offline2005 And if a bosh come on on eny side, ambush come about on any A better bosh on hem from our subside. reserve

[A Digression]

fol. 37v Here angelike valiaunce, here is puissaunce Archangelik in ooste and legioun, And it governeth dukys principaunce governs itline2010 With myght, power, and dominatioun. Omnipotens, this is His champioun! Omnipotence (i.e., God) God loveth this, His throne and sapience wisdom Is sette heron, justice to dispence. hereupon

What is this oost adverse? Rebelliouns opposing armyline2015 Presumptuous, perjurious, mischevous, Heresious with circumcelliouns! Heresies vagrants A legioun attaynte, untaken thevous, attainted, uncaptured thieves That, as thei ar myscheved, wold myscheve us. led astray Her lord is Lucifer, the kyng of pride, Theirline2020 In every feeld with him doun goth his side. down goes

Thei ha no breste, here hornys and her wyngis center, their Ful febil are and out of ordynaunce. formation Subside is goon, noo socour in their kynge is, Reserves are gone And moost amonge hemself is variaunce. what they have most among themline2025 They wil away, now fle they to myschaunce. Goon is their herte, and if the body dwelle, Their hope is aftir deth and aftir helle. hereafter after that

Here is o breste, here hornys are and wyngys one And myghtieste in raunge and ordynaunce. [they are] the mightiestline2030 Subside is here, and socour in our kynge is, Amonge us is ther noo contrariaunce. We wil abide undir our governaunce, Here is noo drede of deth or peyne of helle. Here or with angelys is us to dwelle!

fol. 38r Therfore our eye is to the kyngis signe. king’s bannerline2036 We here his voys, as trumpe and clarioun. hear His eyes are obeyed; we enclyne bow Attonys unto hym. His legioun At once We are, and aftir God, his regioun. nationline2040 His capitayn and his vicapitaynys vice-captains T’obey everych of us right glad and fayn is. To obey we are all

This champioun, this ooste and Goddis knyght, With fele and also fewe may prevaile. many Miraclis here and there God sheweth myght.line2045 But first (as seide is erste) is hem t’assaile. first (as is said before) to attack them The gretter ooste is this. Now moste availe Is ordinat bataile, as is beforn ordinary battle Seide, and with wyngys clappe in eyther horn.

[Set Actions in Pitched Battles (Veg. 3.20)]

With wyngis wight hem umbego, ley on strong wings surround themline2050 Behinde and holde hem streyt on every side, hold them fast And cleche hem up. Whi wolde they be foon? close them foes Tech hem obeyssaunce. Sey: “Fy! o pride! Com on your way, we wil our self you gide.” This way is good, so that this bestes ride these rude beastsline2055 Be not a gret horribil multitude.

With multitude we myght been umbegoon. be surrounded War that perile; holde off on other side Beware off on either With wyngis wight, and strengthe hem faste anoon. strong wings [of men] reinforce With myghtiest elect of the subside strongest select [men] reservesline2060 Prevaile on hem. Yet more is to provide, That if the boorys hed com in, a sharre boar’s head blade Be made for him, his tuskys forto marre. to destroy

fol. 38v But wurthi men are in this ooste a fewe: Sette hem in wise and myghti governaunce!line2065 For heer the Lord wil His myracle shewe, Their multitude or myght be noo turbaunce. no trouble Truste in thi Lord and mak good ordynaunce. Ordeyned wel, in fewe is to prevaile, So that theryn no poynt or poyntis faile.

line2070 Do thus when th’egys are at the congresse: the lines encounter Thi lift hond, hold it from thin adversary, Your left hand That of his shot it have noo distresse And thi ryght wynge uppon hem wightly cary. manfully Theer to begynne it is most necessary;line2075 Sette on in circuyte, and bringe abowte, And to prevaile it nedeth nat to doubte.

But do this with thin horsmen myghtyeste your mightiest horsemen And footmen of the beste, and ha noo drede, the best have no fear Thi foomen undir foote to be keste. foes castline2080 And if thi foo to thee the same bede, to you attempt A myghtiest subside uppon hym lede reserve lead Of horsmen and footmen, and thus delude Hir arte with arte, and theruppon conclude. Their artifice with artifice

Or otherwise, if men be myghtiesteline2085 On the lift hond, the right is to retrete left side retreat And fal on her right horn with wightieste Footmen and hors. And til thei yelde hem, bete yield themselves, beat Hem on the bak and breeste, and overgete front overcome Hem myghtily. But the right honde elonge, side stretch outline2090 That of thi foo noo forfeture it fonge. no loss is suffered

fol. 39r War heer the boorys hed and everywhere. Beware here the boar’s head Or otherwise al putte in ordynaunce: CCCC or D pace yfere 400 or 500 paces together Aforn the counteringe it is t’avaunce Away [from] the enemy to advanceline2095 Our wyngis wight uppon their ignoraunce. (i.e., in surprise) Prudence it is on hem to make affray, [an] attack Whil thei beth out of reule and of aray. line array

If hors be myghtiest, this wey is best And doon anoon, and ellis is grete drede: If done at once otherwiseline2100 A remedy therfore is to be keste, attempted That al the light armure wightly procede, And archerye, as sparkil out of glede. sparks embers And embataile anoon the frounte aforn, The breste to defende, and either horn:

line2105 If this be doon, the frounte alonge is sure. Unlabored with fight, or otherwise, Like as beforn is seyde, it is to cure remedy [the situation] That thi right wynge uppon his lift horn rise. But myghtiest and wittiest dyviseline2110 Unto that feat, and archers with hem fonge strike Of wighte men, o foote that be stronge. of footmen

And this doyng, retrete thi lifte horn your left wing Fer, al abak, and raunge it like a spere, Far spear (i.e., in a straight line) Dyvers heryn unto the way beforn, Differentline2115 So that the foo noo strook theron bewere. foe no strike can manage This wil devicte anoon withoute fere. achieve victory In this manere a smal and myghti ooste Shal overthrowe a multitude of booste. speedily

fol. 39v Or finally, this ooste is but of feweline2120 And not so myghti men as hath the foo: Heer hath the werreour his craft to shewe, And embataile hym nygh a flood that goo near a river On outher half; a cragge is good also, On one side Lake or marice or castel or citee, marshline2125 A side to defende is good to se. flank

There embataile and putte ereither wynge both wings On oon side, and herwith pul off his horn, pull off the enemy’s wing But fro behinde aboute is beste it brynge, behind around (see note) And with the boorys hede route in beforn. boar’s head aheadline2130 The myghtiest to this be not forborn, held back Ner they, theryn that have had exercise, Thus hath be seyde of werryourys wise.

[Encouraging the Enemy to Flee (Veg. 3.21)]

The foo peraventure is ferde and fled foe by chance is fearful Into sum holde, and ferther wolde he fle stronghold farther fleeline2135 Fayn, wiste he how. What is the beste reed: Gladly, if he knew how advice That he go forth, or heer beseged be? here be besieged To lete hem goon is moste utilitee And no perile is it that foo to chace danger chase That turneth us the bak and nat the face. turns his back to us

[Retreat and Ambush (Veg. 3.22)]

line2140 Yet heer be wys and sende a fewe aforn, in this case be prudent ahead Right aftir hem, and with a myghty honde stronger force Another way on even or amorn evening or morning Caste to come in and in their light to stonde. Arrange in their path to take position When thei that aftir go wynne on hem londe,line2145 Her part it is t’attempte hem esily And so departe, aferd to bide therby.

fol. 40r This seyn, thei wil suppose a wayt be goon, an ambush is not coming And disolute anoon be negligent. freed (i.e., from that threat) at once [will] Thenne is the wit, that myghti honde come online2150 And take hem up aslepe or vynolent. drunk Thus easily we have our owne entent, intention Therof to God the commendatioun Be madde, and doon sacrificatioun. do give thanks

If part of th’ooste be fled, and part prevaile,line2155 Heryn the prince exploye his valiaunce, employs Hem myghtily retournyng to bataile. Forwhi? The foon be fled unto myschaunce. Arere anoon unto your ordynaunce. Raise up at once your formation The feelde is youre, and trumpe and clariounline2160 And scryis make of victory resoun. shouts resound

[General Precepts of War (Veg. 3.26)]

Of knyghthode and bataile in special Thus seide th’electioun and ordynaunce, Here is to sette up rewlys general, general rules [of conduct] As this: The gracious good governaunce Such asline2165 Observeth everywhere. Al suffisaunce All needs Hath he that is content. Al may be born He has [fulfilled] who carried Save wele. And scorned is that useth scorn. wealth

Thi disavaile availe is to thi foo, Your harms help your foe His hurt availeth thee. Voide his advice, helps youline2170 Do thin availe. Do not as he hath do. has done In thin electioun se thou be wys. War negligence. Do every man justice. Beware Be vigilaunt. Attende thin honour. Thi providence be to thin oost socour.

fol. 40v Ha not to fight a knyght unexercised. Have untrainedline2176 Ha confidence in preved thing. Secré In secret Thi counsel have. Lerne of thi self disgised. The fugitif herd and untrested be. should be heard but not trusted Be gided wel by folk of that contréline2180 That thou wilt over ride. Have in writynge Every passage, and eke in purtreyinge. illustration

Better is brede in oost to fight then lengthe. breadth in an army than Good is in stoor to have a grete subside. reserve great reserve With sapience socoure a feebil strength, wisdom supportline2185 Fende off thi foo. Let not thin oost divide. your army Whette up thin ege. Bidde horsmen wightly ride. Whet (i.e., sharpen) your line Fight in a raunge aforn with multitude Ayenst a fewe, and hem anoon detrude. subdue

A fewer oost falle on with the right horn, falls upon [you] wingline2190 And crokyng of the lift horn is t’elonge, left to lengthen So that the myghtiest be sette beforn. And if the lift horn be both wyce and stronge, wise and strong Sette it beforn, and bak the right be wronge. fight the right wing the atypical way Or on thin unadvised foo with wight unaware foeline2195 And myghti wyngis go beforn and fight.

The light armure and every ferentary light-armored [man] Aforn the frount in nede anoon procede With subside on the wyngys for to tary. reserves wait And he that hath a litil ooste, hath nedeline2200 Of mych wit, and myghti men in dede, And on his honde a flood or place of strengthe, flank a river And either wynge on his oon horn t’enlengthe. to lengthen

fol. 41r Ye truste in hors: the playn is beste. Ye truste [If] you horsemen Uppon footmen: the cleef is good. Espie hilly ground A spyline2205 Amongis us to be ther is distruste: That every man go hoom, anoon do crye, And which is he, for with me shal espie. But sodenly this most be doon be day, The yatis shitte, lest he go stele away. gates shut escape

line2210 What is to doon, with mony take advice. What shalbe doon, tak fewe or be alone. Tak his advice that is secret and wyce, wise Be juste, indifferent to everychone. impartial For idelnesse have ay sumwhat to doone.line2215 To straunge not, not to familier, Not too distant, nor too Make of a lord. Chere a good chivaleer. Treat Cheer

And here an ende I thus the thridde part third In this tretice of knyghthode and bataile. What ha we next? Forsothe, a subtil art have Trulyline2220 To bilde a stronge citee, and for t’assaile It and defense. And aftir, fight navayle, That is bataile in ship, I here entende For chivalers to write, and make an ende.