The idea of marching in even rows was a startling innovation of that time [the 16th and 17th centuries] Even in Napoleon’s time it was considered radical to drill men on the field in rigid rows, marching in uniform patterns. Napoleon laid planks, I’ve been told, on the field so that his yokels could march in straight lines. Because it’s not natural to march in straight lines in sequence. And he tied the legs of his men together 18 inches apart so they could march uniformly.