THE SOULDIERS EXERCISE: IN THREE BOOKES. The SOULDIERS ACCIDENCE and The SOULDIERS GRAMMAR Parts 1 & 2.

London, printed by John Dawson, and are to be sold by Lawrence Blaiklock at the signe of the sugar-loafe within Temple Barre, 1643.. TITLE CONTINUED: Containing most necessary and curious rules for the exact mustering both of horse-troopes, and foot-bands, with several formes of battailes described in figures. A work fit to be studied and meete for the knowledge of Captaines, Muster-Masters and all young souldiers and generous spirits that love Honourable Practise of Armes. Combines three books: The SOULDIERS ACCIDENCE and The SOULDIERS GRAMMAR Parts 1 & 2. A collected edition each having a separate title page but continuous pagination. THIRD EDITION, corrected and amended, 1643. INTERESTING PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION SEE BELOW. LACKS 2 FOLDING PLATES. Small 4to, approximately 195 x 150 mm, 7¾ x 5¾ inches, general title page within woodcut border, folding leaf with woodcut illustrations, 2 full page woodcut illustrations, many troop formations in the text, some full page, some illustrated initials, large woodcut at the end of the tables. Pages: [16], 128, 229-233, 136-173, [1], pagination goes out of order but all the catchwords are correct. Bound in full modern panelled speckled calf, gilt raised bands to spine, richly gilt in compartments, gilt lettered red morocco label, new endpapers. The first 6 leaves have a very small nick to lower margin, not affecting text, slight loss of paper to the top inner margin of title page, this is trimmed at lower margin, just shaving woodcut border, some light brown staining to the lower margins of last few pages, some light age-browning throughout, occasional nicks to margins, 3 small brown spots to folding woodcut, not affecting image, a good copy. Presentation old ink inscription on free endpaper: "To the accomplished Strategist & mighty Disposer of Troops Lt. Colonel Egerton, ( Probably: Lieutenant-Colonel Randolph Egerton, A captain at the Battle of Edgehill ), J. B., possibly "John Byron,1st Baron Byron" or "Colonel John Brown" both at the Battle of Powick Bridge before Edge Hill. Egerton fought on the Royalist side in the Civil Wars (1639-1651), commanding his own regiment of horse. For more information see Google, National Army Museum. See: Poynter, A Bibliography of Gervase Markham 1568-1637, page184-185; Maurice J. D. Cockle, A Bibliography of Military Books up to 1642, page 87; Sotheby's, The Library of the Earls of Macclesfield, part 10, page 248, which lists the first part only; ESTC R25022: MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE. FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.