Historical usefulness of swordsmen

[Rayaleh]

Well, imo, and I did say IMO.....

I would think that once the melee's started, and the charges are over, Swordsmen should be abled to mess up most cavalrys. (*Duck against cavalryman slash, cut the horse, kill the dude who has just falled). And they can mess up spearmen and even pikemen (I think there were even Spanish units with swords and bucklers that use to duck, roll, and then get passed the pikes/spears or whatever, and then do immense damage).....They're relatively fast.

I wouldn't base my army on them though, more like reinforcements/or ambushes (in some occasions), or let them in the melee once it is started they'd do good damage....Basically, shock troops, not regulars.




But don't trust me, I'm very new.