CHAP. X.] CAVALRY IN THE 16th CENTURY. 



247 



H 



sidered light cavalry). These carabins usually formed 

 upon the left of the squadron under the orders of the 

 captain of it, who gave them the signal to advance. 

 They were accustomed to approach within 200 paces of 

 a body of lancers, or 100 paces of a squadron of cuiras- 

 siers, and discharge their carbines by successive ranks, 

 retiring rank after rank in rear of the squadron to which 

 they were attached. If carabins were also in the ranks 

 of the opposing force, they would skirmish in open order, 

 to draw off the fire from the cuirassiers as they advanced 

 to the attack.^ 



In fact it is almost impossible to enumerate all the 

 various combinations that were used from time to time 

 in the union of the different species of soldiers, in the 

 method of using them in support of each other, and in 

 tlie distribution of the weapons, &c. Every year almost 

 showed variations and novel ideas, according to the 

 notions of the different generals and officers who com- 

 manded armies or corps in different countries. It is 

 only possible here to mention the more important and 

 more striking combinations. 



Al)out the time of Prince Maurice we also see the 

 word "cornet" applied to a tactical subdivision of 

 cavalry. The strength of a cornet seems to have varied 

 from 100 to 300 men. In Prince Maurice's instructions he 

 speaks of one cornet containing 100 horsemen, and another 

 140, while D'Avila mentions the Duke of Mayenne 

 having a cornet of 300 cavalry at the battle of Ivry.^ 

 The strength of cavalry was for a time enumerated by 

 cornets instead of the old method of counting by lances. 

 The name was derived from a cornet or standard carried 

 by the corps. 



In Stowe's Annals we read that at the oattle of 

 Zutphen, in 1586, Sir William Russell fought valiantly. 

 " He with his cornet charged so terribly that when he 

 had broke his lance, he with curtle-axe so played his 

 part that the enemy reported him to be a devil and not 

 a man, for where he saw six or seven of the enemy 



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' Daniel, i. 169. * Beamish, 32r). 



