Pike and Shot Tactics 1590-1660

by Keith Roberts, Adam Hook (Illustrator)

Overview

Throughout the 17th century large parts of Europe were depopulated during the wide-ranging and savage wars of religion and dynasty, involving all of the major powers. This was therefore a key period in the development of 'modern' infantry tactics, such as the use of pole-arms and muskets together hence the popular expression 'pike and shot'. These infantry tactics involved different national schools on thought and practice, and were tested bloodily in great battles. This title covers the Dutch-Spanish wars of independence, The Thirty Years' War and the English Civil Wars.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780967844
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	05/20/2012
Series:	Elite , #179
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Keith Roberts was born in 1955 and was educated at Highgate School. He graduated in History from Leicester University in 1977 and is currently employed by one of the major clearing banks. He is a military analyst and lecturer on the theory and practice of war in Europe and England between 1590 and 1660 and has published widely in this field.
Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks, Roman battle tactics, 19th-century American subjects, the modern Chinese Army, and the history of fortification. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

The Contemporary General's Perspective 7

Sieges and field armies

Campaign preparations and rehearsal

The decisive battle - Dutch caution and Swedish aggressiveness

The German doctrine - multiple battle lines - field artillery - terrain

Cavalry

The infantry confrontation - command and control - broken-country fighting

Outpost warfare

The Spanish Army 26

Infantry formations

Cavalry: Spanish and German - French Huguenot developments

The Dutch Reforms 32

The Dutch battalion - the distinction between administrative and tactical organization - the Dutch company

The Dutch firing system

Battle plans - the Dutch brigade

Cavalry and artillery

The Thirty Years' War 43

Dissemination of Prince Maurice's reforms to belligerents, by veterans, instructors and translations

Spanish conservatism

From Denmark to Sweden

The Swedish Intervention 46

The army of Gustavus Adolphus: unit organization - firing systems - cavalry and artillery

Swedish brigade deployment

The Swedish army in battle: Breitenfeld, 1631

The English Civil Wars 56

Dutch, Swedish and German influences

Monk, Barriffe, Elton and Watts

Prince Rupert at Edgehill, 1642

Marston Moor, Donnington and Naseby, 1644-45

The last word

Index 64

Editorial Reviews

Keith Roberts presents a very useful overview of the typical battlefield small unit and large army tactics employed by generals and commanders during the war-torn pike and musket period of the late 16th century through the late 17th century. Well illustrated by Adam Hook, the book is typical of recent fine efforts of the Osprey Elite series, and is a fine addition to the bookshelves of miniature wargamers in particular, as well as to anyone wanting a good overview of European military tactics from the period.” —Charge! Civil War Wargaming

From the Publisher