Pikeman & Musketeer

The Scottish mercenaries of the 17th century were armed according to their rank. Some carried bows and arrows, but the more affluent soldier was classed as a Pikeman who at first carried a pike 5 or 6 metres long, but Gustavus Adolphus reduced this to 3 or 4 metres. Pikemen were usually larger and stronger than the rest of the infantry and operated in formations designed to move forward like slow-moving hedgehogs. The Musketeers were not armoured and wore hats instead of helmets. The musket was initially the heavy arquebus that required a support. They were screened by Pikemen so that they could reload. As the century progressed the plug bayonet enabled the infantryman to act as both Musketeer and Pikeman.