The Exercise of Arms

BRIEF AND SUCCINCT INSTRUCTION ON THE ILLUSTRATED PORTRAITS, CONCERNING the usage of everything that a Soldier must do in the handling of the Pike, for young & inexperienced Soldiers, which follows in order, & corresponds to each figure.

THE PIKE.

In practicing with the pikes, the Soldier is first shown how, being stood in order, he shall hold the Pike well before him. He shall guide it against the thumb, and in three countsoriginal: "temps" (times) or "reprises" (movements). These refer to the rhythmic steps of a military drill intended to ensure all soldiers move in unison., he shall carry it straight or upwards; let it be known that for the sake of proper formoriginal: "bienseance" — This refers to military decorum and the specific aesthetic and functional posture expected of a professional soldier at the time., he shall not place the Pike outside or inside the right foot, but on the same line, without however being required (while standing) to always have the right foot forward; he shall hold the arm not too far out but somewhat bent, and the hand at the height of his sight.

2. As in the first movement, he shall lift the Pike a little way from the ground with the right hand, and suddenly grasp it toward the bottom with the left hand, leaving enough length below so that he can reach it, or touch it when taking it back with the right hand, as is seen in this figure.

3. At the second movement, he shall lift the Pike with the left hand, and promptly grasp it at the bottom end with the right hand.

4. And at the third movement, having (with the left hand) carried the Pike against the right arm, he shall take it with the right hand, set it against the same arm, and carry it straight or high.

5. Just as having carried the Pike straight in three counts, he must put it back on the ground in the same way; namely, he shall let the right hand slide down somewhat with the Pike, and take it back up for the first time with the left hand, as the present figure demonstrates.

6. To perform the second movement, he shall let the Pike slide along with the left hand, and with the right, grasp it suddenly higher up, as this portrait teaches.

7. At the third movement, he shall guide the Pike with the right hand only, and as is said in the first figure, replant it in the ground; and wanting to put it on the shoulder shall be done in three counts as follows.

8. For the first movement, having the Pike in the right hand against the thumb, he shall let it fall slightly backward, and suddenly grasp it at the bottom with the left hand, right next to the right, as is represented here.

9. At the second, carrying the Pike forward with the left hand, he shall promptly grasp it at the back with the right, to thus place it properly on the shoulder.

10. And at the third movement, carrying the Pike flat on the shoulder, he shall hold the right arm raised up with the thumb against the Pike, because this is (not only proper) but also because by this means he can best govern and carry it.

11. How he shall carry the pike slantedoriginal: "debiais" — carried at an angle. This was crucial for pikes, which could be up to 18 feet long, to avoid clashing with other soldiers in a tight "pike block" formation., so that (marching in a closed troop) they do not strike one another with the point. In the following figures it will be shown how, carrying the Pike flat or slanted, it must be allowed to slide in three counts when one wishes to presentoriginal: "presenter" — to bring the weapon from a carrying position into a ready or offensive position. it, or lower it when passing through a gate or otherwise, also how it must be planted in the ground in three counts. And wanting to put it on the shoulder again, it must (as has already been shown) be done in three counts; but if one carries the Pike straight, it must be shiftedoriginal: "briffer" — likely a technical term for a quick repositioning or tilting of the weapon. or presented in a single count, and likewise carried straight again.

12. At the first movement of its handling, he shall promptly take the pike as far as he can reach or touch (being standing or firm) with the left hand, lifting it with the right equally from above the shoulder upwards, to present it conveniently with the point forward.

13. At the second movement, having already presented the point of the pike forward, he shall take it with the right hand at the bottom end, and thus (with convenience) let it slide from high to low, so as to be able to pass through the gate.

14. And at the third, letting the Pike slide conveniently, he shall extend the right arm, grasp the Pike very firmly, putting the left side against the hip firmly; hereafter it will be shown how in three counts it will be necessary to replant or place the Pike on the ground.
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