The 16th Century was a period of conflict and discovery. All across Europe armies were formed to extend Empires and consolidate power. At the forefront was the might of the Spanish Empire which had developed the Tercio as a battlefield formation used to devastating effect. Pike blocks held the balance of power, often consisting of thousands of men. These were supported by troops with firearms to disorder enemy formations before contact, allowing the pikemen to drive all before them.
Pikes were generally in excess of 16 feet long, and the strongest men were pressed into the ranks of this arm. The firearms which provided the support developed rapidly through the century from primitive arquebuses to muskets, and the musketeer was to play an increasing important role.
National armies were practically unheard of; most armies being formed by those who could afford to keep men in the field. For this reason the size and quality of regiments varied greatly, and uniforms consisted largely of civilian dress unless the Colonel was wealthy enough to equip his men in the same manner.
This box set contains all you need to field a Pike & Shotte Infantry regiment for many of the European powers, whether resisting the Ottoman menace from the East or conquering the New World to the West.
Spanish Conquistadores, English Tudor armies or Christian defenders of Malta can all be represented by the figures within.
Dan Hewitson
Josh Berridge