Files

Doubling files

Doubling files by advancing to the left intire

Files Doubling the Front

Bringers-up, double ranks to the left/right (4-soldier file)

- Bringers-up, double ranks (8-soldier file)

- Reduction of this doubling

Half-files, double ranks to the left/right (4-soldier file)

- Half-files, double ranks (8-soldier file)

- Reduction of this doubling

Ranks

Doubling ranks

Half files, doubling the front inward intire

Flanks

Half ranks by countermarch doubling the flank

Combined Arms

Weapons Handling in Files

Charge for pike: Where to hold the pike for more than one rank

Firing by forlorn file

Musketeers Moving and Firing by Files

Forlorn files advancing and firing by outermost
By outermost files, advancing, ranking inward and presenting

Musketeers Moving and Firing by Ranks

Firing by two ranks, advanced before the front

- Firing by two ranks, even with the pike block

- Firing by two ranks, even with half file leaders of pike

Demi-Hearse Formation

Firing by extraduction
Firing and advancing by introduction (plus a note about the 'Horne-Battel' formation)

An integral part of drill - quite inseparable from it - is how the weapons are to be handled by individual soldiers. A truly outstanding manual for this is The Exercise of Arms, handsomely illustrated by Jacob de Gheyn (1565-1625). First published in 1607, it is now available in several reprints. Check online for an inexpensive copy, say, from Amazon.com or Abebooks.com.

Put to use is a recent reprint of Colonel William Barriffe's three works in one volume (Military Discipline: or the Young Artillery-Man, Mars his Triumph, and Some Brief Instructions for the Exercising of the Cavalry, or Horse-Troopes), 1661 ed.

Wisdom and experience of others has influenced this site. Patrick Gaul and David Luckhardt (a.k.a., Thorne) have been especially helpful. Acknowledgement and gratitude is also extended to Mr. Tony Cullen who had made an online guide, "Bright's Guide to Barriffe," which (unfortunately) is no longer accessible.

Preparing these animations is a learning experience for me and I don't entertain the fantasy of knowing all. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact me at: