Pike (weapon) facts for kids

This article is about the weapon, the fish with the same name is at pike

Macedonian phalanx with pikes. The Scottish schiltron or "Hedgehog" formation looked exactly the same. The Scots were trained to stand defensively and also to attack.

A pike is a very long weapon used by soldiers on foot. It's like a super-long, heavy spear that was used for pushing and thrusting, not for throwing. Pikes were a common sight in European wars from the early Middle Ages until about the year 1700. Foot soldiers used them in tight groups called formations.

What is a Pike?

A pike was a very long weapon, and it got even longer over time. Some pikes could be as long as 20 feet (6 meters)! It had a strong wooden pole with a sharp iron or steel tip. The tip also had metal strips running about three feet (1 meter) down the sides of the pole. This metal stopped enemies from cutting off the tip with a sword or axe.

How Pikes Were Used in Battle

When many pikes were used together, they created a wall of sharp points. This made it very hard for enemies to get close. The long reach of the pike also kept the soldier safer, further away from the enemy. However, because they were so long, pikes were difficult to use in close-up fighting.

Pike Formations

Pikemen usually stood in very tight groups, several lines deep. The oldest of these battle groups was called a phalanx formation. The ancient Macedonian army, led by Philip II of Macedon, used this formation. Even the armies of the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt used similar tactics.

Later, the Swiss pike columns became famous for their use of pikes. These formations were likely inspired by the Scottish Schildrons. The armies of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce used Schildrons with great success. They defeated the powerful cavalry (soldiers on horseback) of kings Edward I of England and his son Edward II of England.

Images for kids

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  A modern recreation of a mid-17th century company of pikemen. By that period, pikemen would primarily defend their unit's musketeers from enemy cavalry.

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  Re-enactment during the 2009 Escalade in Geneva.

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  First rank with pikes at "charge for horse" static defensive posture, ready to draw swords if needed. Second rank holding their pikes at "charge" for delivering thrusts.

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  First rank with pikes at "charge", second rank holding pikes at "port". In real action first 3 – 4 ranks will hold their pikes at "charge" (their points projecting forward from the formation front), and those behind will hold weapons at "port" (to avoid injuring front rank friendlies with their points).

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  Contemporary woodcut of the Battle of Dornach.

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  Swiss and Landsknecht pikemen fight at "push of pike" during the Italian Wars.

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  Pikemen exercising during the Battle of Grolle.

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  An English pikeman (1668), with steel cap, corselet, and tassets.

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  A sans-culotte with his pike

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  American petty officers reenact boarding pike drills

See also

In Spanish: Pica (arma) para niños