Eguiluz, Milicia, discurso, y regla militar, Antwerp, 1595, vellum, Henry Savile's copy

EGUILUZ, MARTÍN DE

Milicia, discurso, y regla militar. Antwerp: (Andreas Bacx for) Pierre Bellère, 1595

4to (196 x 145mm.), woodcut printer's device on title-page, full-page woodcut royal arms on *4v, woodcut initials and diagrams, with final blank leaf, contemporary vellum with two pairs of ties, slightly damp-stained at foot, some wormholes

First published in Madrid in 1592, Eguiluz's treatise is written from the perspective of a professional soldier with over 20 years' experience of fighting against the Dutch and the English in the Low Countries under the Duke of Alba. He advocates the importance of constant drilling and practice in order to keep troops ready (in the Vegetian manner), and he also describes how to manoeuvre troops in order to maintain constant musket fire, an innovation which is usually attributed to Maurice of Nassau.

LITERATURE:

Palau 78701; Peeters-Fontainas 367; USTC 440102

PROVENANCE:

Henry Savile, inscription on flyleaf dated Paris, 27 September 1602, with the price 2-6; F. Manley Sims, armorial bookplate and ink stamp on title-page "Manley Sims Eton Collection"; William Henry Smith, Viscount Hambleden, armorial bookplate (3rd Viscount Hambleden, 1903-1948, from the family of the company W.H. Smith); bought from Davis & Orioli, 15 October 1945, £12-12s