The Reiters carried sword and pistol, and wore helmet and cuirass. They were the ancestors of all Heavy Cavalry, generally called _Cuirassiers_ abroad, but simply “Regiments of Horse” in England during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. There were always less regular Cavalry, or _Light Horse_, for scouting, pursuit, and independent action to front and flanks. This division of duties and names has long survived. To obtain better fire effect, Henry IV. of France armed his Horse with a short arquebus called a _carabine_, whence the _Carbineers_. In Italy a larger firearm, called a _dragon_, was given to horsemen, so as to enable them to use fire with more effect when dismounted. Hence originated _Dragoons_, originally merely Mounted Infantry. We have thus got the three Arms of the Service, as commemorated in the old expression _Horse_, _Foot_, and _Dragoons_, to denote the whole Army; for Artillery did not become an Arm before 1700. Towards the end of the sixteenth century, under Maurice of Nassau, the organization of the Dutch Cavalry was further developed during the War of Independence against Spain. His Squadrons were fixed at 120 strong, with the three Officers and the Trumpeter of the Reiters, but were now divided into three Sections, each under an Officer, with a Corporal. These represent the existing _Troops_. A Farrier was added to the troop for shoeing and veterinary work. Improved drill and discipline enabled Maurice to reduce the ten ranks of his day to six. Gustavus organized the Swedish Army on the same lines as Maurice, but improved on his model in Cavalry, as in other Arms. His Troops were smaller, only 70 strong, and were grouped in Regiments of 8 troops. He was the first to inculcate _shock_ tactics, which he facilitated by reducing the ranks to four, and discouraging firing from horseback. After Gustavus’ brilliant success in the Thirty Years’ War, the use of shock tactics was carried on in England, but was not imitated in other countries. Cromwell, seizing on the idea with his unfailing military insight, taught his Ironsides to charge home, and especially to rally after the charge. He established an undying reputation as the first great Cavalry leader in the modern sense, and his horsemen were never equalled till Seidlitz appeared and led Frederick’s Cavalry in the Seven Years’ War a century later. Neither of these two great soldiers has ever been surpassed, or indeed approached, as a leader of Cavalry. During those hundred years Cavalry continued to fire from their horses, and charge at the trot. Even long afterwards, Napoleon’s Heavy Cavalry did not gallop. But Cavalry began to find their true mode of action when Marlborough and Charles XII. of Sweden expected their Horse to charge without firing.