The Swiss Pikemen were famous mercenary soldiers from the Swiss Confederation that were hired by a variety of kingdoms during the second half of the 1400s and early 1500s. They were at first involved in fighting the Duchy of Burgundy, defeating them at the Battle of Murten in 1476, and they later fought against the Kingdom of France at the Battle of Marignano in 1515.
History[]
Swiss pikemen in 1496
Swiss soldiers hired themselves out as mercenaries in many European nations. They were known for their discipline and drill with pike and halberd, but by the end of the sixteenth century had adopted the arquebus, and even mounted soldiers armed with arquebuses. Swiss pikemen were ruthless on the battlefield. They were known to hang their own men for panicking, for giving no quarter to enemies who surrendered, and for loyalty as long as they were paid. The phrase, "No silver, no Swiss", referred to the price of their loyalty, and the consequences of not paying them. Swiss mercenaries wore a variety of uniforms, favoring colorful Landsknecht-style dress with striped leggings and mismatched stockings, and bright, slashed doublets and sleeves in alternating colors.
Gallery[]
