The army
was primarily mercenary, as it had been in medieval times, with
officers buying their commissions. Colonels were the proprietors
of their regiments and captains were the proprietors of their
companies. The soldiers were ill mannered, swearing and cursing
and stealing, sometimes from peoples' homes, and intimidating
people with their swords. The bayonet was invented to attach onto
a gun, which were muzzle-loading with a match lock. So pikemen
with their long spears became obsolete. Hand grenades and small
explosive bombs came into use about 1670. Explosives were also
used in mines.
There was resort to many devices to fund wars. The land tax was
still the primary tax. The customs and excise taxes were often
extended to more goods and wares. Sometimes there were duties
imposed on marriages, births, and deaths. Also, hawkers, peddlers,
and other trading persons going from town to town to other men's
houses on foot or on horse carrying wares had to buy a license.
There were also loans from privileged companies such as the Bank
of England, East India Co., and the South Sea Co. Commissioners
were appointed to take and state the account of all money in the
public revenue. This discouraged the prevalent corruption of
government officials and thereby the people were encouraged to pay
their taxes.
The Goldsmiths loaned money to the king and to private persons and
to the Exchequer.
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