A pike is a long thrusting spear formerly used in European warfare from the Late Middle Ages [1] and most of the early modern period, and wielded by foot soldiers deployed in pike square formation, until it was largely replaced by bayonet-equipped muskets.

Pike and shot was a historical infantry tactical formation that first appeared during the late 15th and early 16th centuries, and was used until the development of the bayonet in the late 17th century.

The push of pike was a particular feature of Late Middle Ages and Early Modern warfare that occurred when two opposing columns of pikemen (often Swiss Reisläufer or German Landsknechte) met and became locked in position along a front of interleaved pikes.

By the 15th century the pike had become a crucial weapon on European battlefields. Originally eighteen feet of sharpened ash, the pike was a formidable weapon in the hands of trained professional soldiers. This article appears in: August 2005.

Dec 30, 2024 · Pike and Shot tactics significantly shaped military operations during the Renaissance and laid groundwork for future warfare. These tactics blended pike formations with early firearms, thus creating a versatile battlefield approach that …

Uncover the legacy of the medieval pike in warfare, exploring its design evolution, combat strategies, and role in shaping military history.

pike, medieval infantry weapon, a long spear with a heavy wooden shaft 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 metres) long, tipped by a small leaf-shaped steel point. The ancient Macedonian sarissa was similar. The use of the pike among the Swiss foot soldiers in the 14th century contributed to the decline of the feudal knights.

May 11, 2011 · By the 14th century, infantry were gaining ascendancy over heavy horse on the battlefield. Archers and gunners were able to shoot many of them down before they could get to grips, and dense, impenetrable blocks of pikemen and …

Founded in 1973, the Pike and Shot Society is an international organization that promotes interest in the warfare of the Early Modern Period, a time that saw radical change in the way in which wars were fought world-wide.

Pike and Shot warfare developed out of the military revolution that characterised the 17th Century. It was to see a dramatic shift in the employment of formations and tactics, from deep Spanish tercios , to linear Dutch battalions and offensive Swedish brigades.