7 figures in the set
Charles the Bold recruited and drilled pikemen according to the Ordinance of St. Maximin de Trèves of 1473. Their task consisted of covering the archers and shooters, positioned in front of them. At shot distance they should kneel down at the command of the captain, so that the archers could shoot over them. If the enemy ranks were breaking, the pikemen should leap into the breach. Or they may form a defensive formation and cover the archers and shooters in the center. It is conceivable that pikemen and halberdiers were standing in 3-4 rows and that the men-at-arms kept the formation together like the latter so called “Doppelsöldner” in Landsknecht-formations.
In addition to the pikemen of the ordinance companies, Charles the Bold also recruited pikemen as specialists in Flanders. Little is known about their value in combat, as in the Burgundian Wars mainly siege battles were struck and the luckless Duke Charles of Burgundy was overrun in the decisive battles by the Confederates in surprise attacks.
In the Burgundian War of Succession, immediately after the death of Charles the Bold, Maximilian, the latter emperor recruited Flemish pikemen too. They probably had hardly distinguished themself from Charles' pikemen. They were drilled by Swiss captains and prevailed over the French at Guinegate in 1479.
The armament of these Flemish-Burgundian pikemen here is more in a Western European style, with gambesons and breastplates covering the front, some with jack chains, some with complete vambrace, almost all with gauntlets; the neckguards of the salets are less pointed, as in the German style. They carry a dagger and a long knife.
The figures are modeled as usual with open hands to arm them with halberd or pike.
