In the first rank come eight of the large merchantmen, mainly Hanseatic vessels; in the second, ten of the royal navy and one private vessel; in the third, nineteen second-rate merchantmen.

The tactical aim is clearly that the heavy Hanseatic ships should, as De Chaves says, receive the first shock and break up the enemy's formation for the royal ships, while the third rank are in position to support.

The wings, which were specially told off to keep the galleys in check, correspond to the reserve of De Chaves, and the importance attached to them is seen in the fact that they contained all the king's galleons of the latest type.
In the second set of instructions, issued on August 10, this order was considerably modified.

The fleet had been increased by the arrival of some of the west-country ships, and a new order of battle was drawn up which is printed in the _State Papers, Henry VIII_ (Old Series), i.810.The formation, though still retaining the blunt wedge design, was simplified.

We have now a vanguard of 24 ships, a 'battaill' or main body of 40 ships, and one 'wing' of 40 oared 'galliasses, shallops and boats of war.' The 'wing' however, was still capable of acting in two divisions, for, unlike the vanguard and 'battaill,' it had a vice-admiral as well as an admiral.
_LORD LISLE, No._ 1, 1545.
[+Le Fleming MSS.No.