----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of the weapons of the Staff, namely the Bill, the Partisan, the Halberd, and the Javelin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because it may seem strange unto many, that I have here placed these iiii.
sorts of weapons together, as though I would frame but one only way for the
handling of all, although they differ in form, from which form is gathered
their difference in use. Therefore, forasmuch as I am of opinion, that all
of them may be handled in manner after one way, it shall not be amiss, if I
declare the reason thereof, speaking first of every one severally by
itself, and then generally of all together, holding and maintaining always
for my conclusion, that the skill of handling of them, helps a man to the
knowledge of all the rest, for as much as concerns true Art.