The Renaissance?

[Simovek]

I know this isn't totally on topic because it isn't really covered by the TW series so if the mods delete it that is ok :)

I was wondering about warfare in the Renaissance. What kind of infantry and cavalry were used then? Obviously the Arquebus and new variants of gunpowder weapons were becoming more used, and it seems that Pikes also became prominent as well? Were swords used much on the battlefield during this time? What were some of the common infantry weapons used during this time? If anyone has the link to websites explaining this those would be appreciated (all my searches come up with table top wargaming sites)

What were some of the famous infantries of this time? For example the Swiss were famous mercenary pikemen along with the german landschnets or something like that.

What types of cavalry were used during this time? The knight was on the way out or gone by this time because of the heavy use of pikes. Were some of the late period cav like Lancers and Gendarmes still used? I know pistol equiped cavalry became more popular during the Renaissance and I assume that sabre weilding cavalry became more popular?

Thanks for any help, again websites you know of would be appreciated, and would save time typing out answers :)

The reason I ask is I wanted to try modding my MTW a little bit and thought the Rennaissance might be a nice period to mod. It seems it wouldn't be all that hard because Pike units and Arquebuses appear in the Late Era.

[Strategy]

Most of the worthwhile links on the net that I know of (there aren't really that many), are linked to from the page of the Spanish Fury ruleset:

Spanish Fury

Also, the Internet Modern History Sourcebook:
IMHS

On warfare, check the following link (use at own risk):
Art of Warfare

Regards,

Michael A.

[Watchman]

And there's always the good old De Re Militari. As a side note, lances stayed in use at least until the mid-1500s or thereabouts - the last days of the lance-toting knight. By the end of the century most "modern" cavalry carried a pair of wheellock pistols and a sword for backup - the pistols had about the same killing reach as the lance, and were far more convenient and manageable.

The Early Modern period is also sometimes referred to as the "Pike and Shot" period, and remained that way until some clever bugger invented the bayonet and specialist pikemen could be dispensed with.

[Krusader]

Rennaissance warfare was like Watchman described. Pikes and Arquebus.

This is from sources Ive read:
The Swiss way of war, using lots of pikes proved to be succesful against cavalry, and the memories of the phalanx (maybe. Bit debated) made pikes more used by European armies (and pikes were cheaper to produce then swords, axes, maces etc. )
The addition of Handgunners, provided a lethal combo. Arquebuses to take care of ranged enemies, and pikes for close combat, and protecting the pikes.

Heavy Cavalry was still used, as the "heroic cavalry charge" remained strong in nobles minds, and could be devastating against handgunners, if used well. However, light cavalry or hussars were used more often later, as they proved perfect for raiding and flanking. The Dragoons (mounted handgunners) also became more used for hit-and-run attacks. And of course, gunpowder artilery.

I think bayonets were first used or made, by an English garrison in France.

[Hurin_Rules]

You might also want to read Macchiavelli's Art of War.

I think one of the solutions to the phalanx was the sword-and-buckler troops you sometimes see in Italy. If they can get in amongst the pikemen they could do some serious damage, as we all know from Rome: Total War.

[cegorach]

@Simovek

This period of time ( 1480-1700) is covered by our Pike&Musket TW
( XVI-XVII) mod. For MTW it is even downloadable ( custom & multi only for now) - see its thread in the Engineers Guild ( MTW section) and in
the RTW modding section - for P&M TW for Rome mod in progress.

If you need some background info about armies of that time, send me a PM with your e-mail, I really have many sources about armies of that time - from Irish to Russian, Ottoman, even Moldavian armies.

Anyway I believe I have recreated all military changes in the mod, quite well, download it if you want to try.
Better - 0.7. beta will appear soon ( 8-10 historical battles, 260+ new units), but you will have to wait for 1.0 for full campaign.


regards Cegorach/Hetman

[Watchman]

Well, about everyone around that time who even thought of himself as a soldier or warrior had some kind of sword. Pikemen, arquebusieurs, bandits, knights, you name it - everybody. Halberds and similar polearms were very popular as "close support" weapons in the pike formations, being rather better armor-smashers than pikes and rather more manageable at close distances (naturally depending on the lenght of the shaft, which in turn depended on the weapon's intended use - the ones carried mainly for anti-cavalry work were naturally long), and the older two-handed swords developed into the infamous greatswords, great for hacking through pike shafts and their carriers. Later on those became the weapon of important folks' bodyguards, carried partly for appereance and intimidation but also for their all-around efficiency against most any other weapons.

The Spanish sword-and-buckler men were a leftover from the Reconquista, whose last stages had involved a lot of fighting in mountains and fortifications. They turned out to work really well as close-support shock troops in pike squares, and also carved a bloody swath through the American natives (obsidian sword-clubs and cotton armor are at a sort of disadvantage against steel helmets, breastplates and Toledo cut-and-thrust swords...).