Red Box 101 1/72 16th c. Italian Infantry (Pike) Set 3

Although the pike has a history going back to ancient times - the Macedonian phalangites being the most famous users - it was the Swiss that truly brought it back into fashion in Europe with their disciplined and well-trained use of it en masse during the 15th century. Against a well-formed body of pikemen the finest knight in Europe could do nothing, much to his disgust, although pikemen needed other troops to defend their exposed sides, and were not as manoeuvrable as others. Naturally others in Europe followed the Swiss example, notably the Germans but also the Italians, and until perhaps the middle of the 16th century roughly half or more of an army in Italy might be pikemen. The rise of the arquebus would see their decline later in the century, but for the Italian Wars the pike remained the dominant weapon of the infantry.

Specifications

• Contents: 24 figures
• Poses: 6 poses
• Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)