Medieval Pike

A pike is a pole weapon, a very long thrusting spear formerly used extensively byinfantry. Unlike many similar weapons, the pike is not intended to be thrown. Pikes were used regularly in European warfare from the early Middle Ages until around 1700, The pike found extensive use with Landsknecht armies and Swiss mercenaries, who employed it as their main weapon and used it in pike square formations. Generally, a spear becomes a pike when it is long enough that it cannot be wielded with one hand in combat.

Pikemen had to be equipped with a shorter weapon such as a sword, mace, or dagger in order to defend themselves should the fighting degenerate into a melee. the pikeman often did not have a shield or had only a small shield of limited use in close-quarters fighting.

The pike was a long weapon, It had a wooden shaft with an iron or steel spearhead affixed. The extreme length of such weapons required a strong wood.

Certificate of Quality and Origin, Made in Toledo, Spain.