Brief Instruction upon the contrefaictinges, Concerning the Right Use, of All what a Souldier needeth to know in handling of the Pike, for the yonge or untrayned Souldier, which instruction agreeth by nomber with every figure in order.
Pikemen.
In the using of the Pike is first shewed unto the Souldier how he (standing still) shall hold the Pike before him, governe it against the thumbe and take it up in three tymes, That is to saye: he shall not (for comelynes) set it with in or without the right foote, but just before him in the same line: well understanding that he is not bound to set the right foote alwayes before, His arme he shall hold not stretcht out butt a little bended and his hand about the height of his eyes.
In the 2. figure is shewed, how, before the first changeinge of his holde, he shall with the right hand lift the Pike a little from the ground and take it sodainely againe with the left hand towardes the neather ende, leavinge so much lengthe belowe as he can affterwardes reatch well with the right hand, like as this figure doth teatche.
In the 3. how he, before the second changeinge of hold, shall lift up the Pike with the left hand and quickely with the right hand take the same at the ende.
In the 4. how, before the third changeinge of hold, (having joyned the Pike with the left hand against the right arme) he shall governe the same against the sayde arme and carry it up, or advanced.
In the 5. how (havinge carried the Pike advanced) he shall set the same downe upon the ground againe in three tymes, like as before, that is: he shall let the right hand with the Pike sinke a little together, and for the first changeinge of handes, with the left hand take the same upwards, like as this figure teatchet.
In the 6. how, to change the second hold, he shall let the Pike sinke with the left hand and with the right hand quickely take the same heigher, like as this figure sheweth.
In the 7. how, at the third changeinge of holde, he shall governe the Pike with the right hand onely and set it againe upon the ground, as is taught in the first figure, and if he will then laye the Pike upon the shoulder, he shall doe that againe in three tymes, as followeth.
In the 8 place is shewed, how, before the first changeinge of holde (havinge the Pike in the right hand) he shall let the same fall over a little against the thumbe and presently take it with the left hand close to the right hand, like as this figure sheweth.
In the 9. how he (before the second changeinge of hold) shall bringe the Pike foreward with the left hand and with the right hand take hold backward, the more handsomely and gracefully to lay the Pike on the shoulder.
In the 10. how he (in the third changeinge of hold) shall carye the Pike levell upon the shoulder, hold the right arme up and the thumbe against the pike, not onely for fashions sake, but because he maye governe and carye the same the better.
In the 11. how he shall carye the Pike slopinghe to avoyd the danger of hurting on an other when they marche close: and in the next figure shall beshewed how he (carrying the Pike levell or slopinge) shall let the same sinke when soever he will come to porte or otherwayes charge the pike, and how he shall set the same at three tymes againe upon the ground, and desiring to laye the same upon the shoulder, shall doe it at three tymes, as is taught before, But when he carrieth the Pike advanced he shall charge the same at one tyme.
In the 12. how he (before the first changeinge of hold) shall take the Pike with the left hand speedely as farr as he (standinge right) can reatch, liftinge the same with the left hand up from the shoulder, the better and with more ease to be able to cast the Pike over with the sharp ende before.
