A 'Push of Pike' between two teams of the Sealed Knot during a re-enactment of the Siege of Basing House, an event in the English Civil War
The Push of Pike was a particular feature of late medieval and Early Modern warfare that occurred when two opposing columns ('Blocks') of pikemen collided and attempted to push the other back physically. With the opponents locked together there was no room to make use of a weapon so after the initial contact was made very few deaths occurred. However, if one side turned and ran, or collapsed upon itself, then massive casualties could result.
See here for a contemporary depiction of a Push of Pike.
A 'Push of Pike' between two teams of the Sealed Knot during a re-enactment of the Siege of Basing House, an event in the English Civil War
The Push of Pike was a particular feature of late medieval and Early Modern warfare that occurred when two opposing columns ('Blocks') of pikemen collided and attempted to push the other back physically. With the opponents locked together there was no room to make use of a weapon so after the initial contact was made very few deaths occurred. However, if one side turned and ran, or collapsed upon itself, then massive casualties could result.
See here for a contemporary depiction of a Push of Pike.