Essex Boy wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2020 12:28 am
I remain to be convinced that pikes were any kind of offensive weapon...........a subject on which you should not get me started.......
C'mon I've showed you the documents about swiss pike training, they certainly were and the specific ECW accounts I think too. [EDIT: I've just tracked it down and it was 6 1/2 years ago :o I was much more knowledgeable about stuff back then now I just sit in a corner and grumble]
But, as the C18th wore on probably less so except maybe in the east of Europe.
But just think how pretty an offensive pike unit would look on the tabletop
Nice try.........but there's a distinct absence of a pub and beer.
Essex Boy wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2020 1:26 am
Nice try.........but there's a distinct absence of a pub and beer.
Pubs, beer and a demonstration of offensive pike work using an umbrella from a table might end badly.
They most certainly do not like it up 'em...especially when opened!
Offensive pikes are an oddity this late, Swedes did it very effectively, but other armies were going firepower based, especially once socket bayonets arrive. Strangley I think it is because pikes actually are more complicated to be trained with than the wrote learning of firearms once you have apostles, cartridges and metal ramrods.
The Blenheim tapestry shows pikes, but any regiment that had been through the Dublin Garrison from 1701 did not.
FreddBloggs wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2020 7:24 am
Offensive pikes are an oddity this late, Swedes did it very effectively, but other armies were going firepower based, especially once socket bayonets arrive. Strangley I think it is because pikes actually are more complicated to be trained with than the wrote learning of firearms once you have apostles, cartridges and metal ramrods.
The Blenheim tapestry shows pikes, but any regiment that had been through the Dublin Garrison from 1701 did not.
Thank you yet again. I'd very much like to see a first hand account of the Swedish use of the pike. It may be a tall order, but can you steer me towards one?
But there are some good bits in this blog post and sources given which could be chased up.