Push of pike
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The push of pike was a particular feature of Late Middle Ages and early modern warfare that occurred when two opposing columns of pikemen met and became locked in position along a front of interleaved
Swiss mercenaries and Landsknechte engaged in a push of pike (engraving by Hans Holbein the Younger, early 16th century)
Right hand section of preceding drawing
Doppelsöldner
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Doppelsöldner were Landsknechte in 16th-century Germany who volunteered to fight in the front line, taking on extra risk, in exchange for double payment. The stated ratio was that one Landsknecht in f
Push of pike
…from each side. There are instances when both sides agreed to a break for a short rest then the pikemen resumes their clash. Rodeleros along with the Doppelsöldner were used in order to break push of pike engagements. The push of pike still played a role in the English civil war; two-thirds of the infantry consisted…
A Doppelsöldner with arquebus