I was surprised to find that this one was published in 1574. The arguments are extremely similar to those of Roger Williams, whose Discourses were not published until 1590. The argument takes place in the form of a dialogue between Mercury and an English soldier. Since speaker tags have been forgotten in some places I've … Continue reading Barnabe Rich- A right exelent and pleasaunt dialogue, 1574
Discourses
Juan de Palafox y Mendoza – The History of the Conquest of China by the Tartars
Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, Bishop of Puebla in Mexico, was privy to reports of the Manchu conquest of Ming China via the Phillipines. Though he had never been to China himself, Palafox used those reports to write a detailed history of the conquest. Throughout, the Manchu are referred to as Tartars. Pages 521-522 The … Continue reading Juan de Palafox y Mendoza – The History of the Conquest of China by the Tartars
Robert Barret – The Theorike and Practike of Moderne VVarres, 1598
Barret is another military writer critical of "inueterate conceirers of bowes and blacke billes". Barret asserts the superiority of the firearm over the bow, the corselet over the jack, and the pike over the bill (halberd). I have skipped over the sections dealing with the bill and jack. Pages 2-3 Gent. You haue touched many … Continue reading Robert Barret – The Theorike and Practike of Moderne VVarres, 1598
Raimond Fourquevaux – Instructions for the Warres
The translator of this discourse, Paule Ive, attributes the original French work to William de Bellay. Everyone else seems to attribute it to Raimond Fourquevaux. According to Wikipedia the original was published 1548. This translation dates 1589. Page 25-26 The Harquebusse hath bin inuented within these fewe yeares, and is verie good, so that it … Continue reading Raimond Fourquevaux – Instructions for the Warres
William Garrard – The Arte of VVarre
The Arte of VVarre, by William Garrad, d. 1587, published posthumously 1591. Page 2-3: He which seekes to attaine and attribute to himselfe the honourable name of a Souldier, must first employ his time in practice of those armes wherewith he means to serue, and so apply his time, that when any enterprise shall call … Continue reading William Garrard – The Arte of VVarre
Jacopo di Porcia: The Preceptes of Warre
A military manual by Jacopo di Porcia. Some of the advice is obvious, some silly. This is a text transcription from EEBO. Translated 1544 by Peter Betham. 32. ΒΆ Of gonners on horsebacke. It shal not be vnprofitable to acquaynten and wount your horses, as the duchmen do, to suffer the sytter whyche is a … Continue reading Jacopo di Porcia: The Preceptes of Warre
Musket Vs Rifle: “A letter on the defence of England by corps of volunteers and militia”, 1852
A Letter on the Defence of England by Corps of Volunteers and Militia by Sir Charles James Napier, Lt. General, is a short essay advocating for the retention of the "tried" musket, rather than the adoption of the "untried" minie rifle. The subject is not strictly related to Bows Vs Muskets, but we do get … Continue reading Musket Vs Rifle: “A letter on the defence of England by corps of volunteers and militia”, 1852
Exerpts from A Treatise of the Rifle, Musket, Pistol, and Fowling-piece, by N. Bosworth, 1846
"There is scarcely anything so little understood as a gun. The musket, in the hands of one who has studied its properties, will throw a ball with an accuracy that would surprise a large portion of those who are in the habit of using it." Yesterday I was told, by someone who thought himself well-informed, … Continue reading Exerpts from A Treatise of the Rifle, Musket, Pistol, and Fowling-piece, by N. Bosworth, 1846
A Brief Discourse by Humfrey Barwick- Modernized Transcription
Humfrey Barwick's pamphlet, full title A Breefe Discourse, Concerning the force and effect of all manuall weapons of fire, and the disability of the Long Bowe or Archery, in respect of others of greater force now in vse, is the most important single source of information concerning the bow vs. musket issue. Sir Roger Williams … Continue reading A Brief Discourse by Humfrey Barwick- Modernized Transcription
Sir Roger William’s Briefe Discourse of VVarre: To prooue Bow-men the worst shot vsed in these days.
Sir Roger Williams was a celebrated veteran of the 16th century wars in the Low Countries. In his book Briefe Discourse of Warre, published 1590, one discourse is titled "To prooue Bow-men the worst shot vsed in these days." In an earlier discourse, Williams details why he considers the musket to be the best shot, … Continue reading Sir Roger William’s Briefe Discourse of VVarre: To prooue Bow-men the worst shot vsed in these days.
Bow Vs. Musket 