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230 A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. [period hi. 



hundred French noblea heavily equipped with brilliant 

 armour, and carrying heavy maces. 



The artillery of this army was the finest that had yet 

 appeared in Europe. It consisted, according to Mezerai, of 

 140 heavy cannon, and a great number of smaller pieces. 

 They were mounted upon carriages drawn by horses, and 

 worked by gunners who were skilfully trained to their 

 use. 



It is generally admitted that the overpowering force of 

 artillery in his army enabled Charles VIII. to traverse 

 Italy almost without opposition, as the Italians were 

 poorly provided with inferior artillery drawn by oxen. 



Shortly after this epoch appeared Machiavelli's 

 " Treatise on the Art of War," which shows on his part 

 a very clear insight into the principles of warfare, and a 

 very correct appreciation of the reforms required. 



Machiavelli wrote at a most interesting period, just 

 when the military institutions of the middle ages were 

 beginning to fade away before the improvements and 

 changes in arms, which have led to the modern system 

 of conducting war. His views therefore are of much 

 interest to the military reader, as they convey the 

 contemporary ideas of the transition period. 



He argued strongly against the system of employing 

 mercenar}'^ bands, and advocated the training of the 

 citizens to the use of arms, and compelling them to turn 

 out in defence of the State — saying that the best soldiers 

 of Greece and Rome were also the best citizens. 



Although all the prejudices of the age were in favour 

 of the cavalry, Machiavelli saw the future influence of 

 infantry, and without hesitation laid down the principle 

 that the infantry is the solid and real strength of armies 

 and of nations. 



He says that the infantry of his day wore the 

 demi-cuirass, or breastplate, and carried a spear, or 

 pike, eighteen feet long, and a broadsword. Very few 

 wore backplates, greaves, or gauntlets, and none at all 

 either casque or helmet. Some few carried halberds, 

 with heads like a battle-axe, and a few also were armed 

 as musketeers. Machiavelli published his Art of War 



