I have an unsubstantiated conjecture about medival Swiss pike and halbard blocks.
It seems to me that a linear formation such as used in later periods (Napoleonic) is not what was done in the 15th C. My thoughts run as follows.
At Grandson musters were collected from all the vilages surrounding say Zurich.
Each village had persons who were equipped with a variety of weapons and armour, depending on relative wealth. These people marched in column as illustrated in many contemporary illustrations. Schilling. As is well known, the fastest way of moving troops is in column. The troops from individual villages all know each other and have probably trained together. They are neighbours and look after each others backs.
As columns come together the columns merge together to form wider columns from a canton. Different cantons troops (in columns) join together to form the pike block. They may be marching on different roads to get to the battle field.
The chaps with the best armour form the front ranks of the columns, the less well armoured form third and fourth ranks etc. Troops with halbards and flambards form the colour guards in the block and are able to take advantage of any breaches in the enemy formation by passing between the columns without breaking the structure of the block. Likewise, you can have crossbows inbetween the columns who can get towards the front of the battle line to shoot and then retire to reload. Wounded men can likewise go out of the back of the block without too many problems.
If the block comes to an obstacle like a bush, tree or vineyard, it will naturally split where columns are marching next to each other. The effect of the block only relies on the front rank of each column keeping in line with the neighboring columns.
Some of my evidence for this is in the description of cannon shots at Grandson hitting the main pike block and killing umteen men from the same village. Also from the description of the forhut attacking followed by the gewalthaufen. It would appear that sometimes these formations marched out of camp, formed up and attacked very quickly, which would also tend to support my conjecture. In effect, we are talking about loads of men who know each other well playing follow the leader with a common aim and common tactics.
Let me know what you think or if anyone has any evidence that may support or refute my conjecture.
Henry
