The Calabrian campaigns, which were suited in some degree to the display of their own tactics, fortunately gave the Spaniards opportunity for studying at leisure those of their adversaries. The lesson was not lost. Before the end of the war important innovations were made in the discipline and arms of the Spanish soldier. The Swiss pike, or lance, which, as has been already noticed, Gonsalvo de Cordova had mingled with the short sword of his own legions, now became the regular weapon of one- third of the infantry. The division of the various corps in the cavalry and infantry services was arranged on more scientific principles, and the whole, in short, completely reorganized. [11]
Before the end of the war, preparations were made for embodying a national militia, which should take the place of the ancient hermandad. Laws were passed regulating the equipment of every individual according to his property. A man's arms were declared not liable for debt, even to the crown; and smiths and other artificers were restricted, under severe penalties, from working them up into other articles. [12] In 1496, a census was taken of all persons capable of bearing arms; and by an ordinance, dated at Valladolid, February 22d, in the same year, it was provided that one out of every twelve inhabitants, between twenty and forty-five years of age, should be enlisted in the service of the state, whether for foreign war, or the suppression of disorders at home. The remaining eleven were liable to be called on in case of urgent necessity. These recruits were to be paid during actual service, and excused from taxes; the only legal exempts were the clergy, hidalgos, and paupers. A general review and inspection of arms were to take place every year, in the months of March and September, when prizes were to be awarded to those best accoutred, and most expert in the use of their weapons. Such were the judicious regulations by which every citizen, without being withdrawn from his regular occupation, was gradually trained up for the national defence; and which, without the oppressive incumbrance of a numerous standing army, placed the whole effective force of the country, prompt and fit for action, at the disposal of the government, whenever the public good should call for it. [13]
FOOTNOTES
[1] Zurita, Hist. del Rey Hernando, lib. 2, cap. 12-14; 16, 24.
Giovio says, in allusion to King Ferdinand's show of preparation on the frontier, "Ferdinandus, maximè cautus et pecuniae tenax, speciem ingentis coacti exercitus ad deterrendos hostes praebere, quam bellum gerere mallet, quum id sine ingenti pecunià administrari non posse intelligeret." Hist. sui Temporis, p. 140.
[2] Zurita, Hist. del Rey Hernando, lib. 2, cap. 35, 36.—Abarca, Reyes de Aragon, rey 30, cap. 9.—Garibay, Compendio, tom. ii. lib. 19, cap. 5.— Comines, Mémoires, liv. 8, chap. 23.—Peter Martyr, Opus Epist., epist. 169.
[3] Giovio, Vita Magni Gonsalvi, lib. 1, p. 221.—Chrónica del Gran Capitan, cap. 30.—Zurita, Hist. del Rey Hernando, lib. 3, cap. 1.— Villeneuve, Mémoires, p. 317.
[4] Giovio, Vita Magni Gonsalvi, p. 222.—Quintana, Españoles Célebres, tom. i. p. 234.
[5] Giovio, Vita Magni Gonsalvi, p. 222.—Zurita, Hist. del Rey Hernando, lib. 3, cap. 1.—Guicciardini, Istoria, lib. 3, p. 175.—Chrónica del Gran Capitan, cap. 30.
[6] Giovio, Vita Magni Gonsalvi, p. 223.—Chrónica del Gran Capitan, cap. 31, 32.—Zurita, Hist. del Rey Hernando, lib. 3, cap. 38.