"Infantry intervals?" Topic

Nosworthy says that during this period, the intervals between the musketeers were about 2-3' in a rank and 6-12' between ranks. This allowed them to march more easily (since they weren't in step) and was for safety as the loose powder the matchlock men carried occasionally was accidentally discharged causing injury to the victim and his neighbors.

Obviously this is a lot more space than used in later periods when marching in step and drill in general were taken to a higher level.

However, it would seem to me that the pikement wouldn't have so much space between them since they carried no powder, didn't have to alternate ranks for firing, and the use of pike would be enhanced by closer support.

Has anyone else read anything about the space surrounding musketeers and pikemen, and does you understanding corroborate this view of 'looser' formations in the 30YW and ECW?

Thanks!

Different weapons, different spacings.

Looser formations in the XVIIth cent were not so much due to the presence of black powder as the napol period f.ex. had the same situation, but rather to the method of firing (by intro-/extraduction, i.e. shot moving forth or back through the intervals).

The pike in battle is effective only if there are as many "points per square metre" as possible, hence the dense formation whenever contact is near.

The following link is a good reference:

syler.com/drillDemo/menu.html

Cheers

Romain

Cheers

Standard formation for musketeers was a looser order than for pikemen. There has been an ongoing debate about the actual spacings for some time. This was fuelled by the building of the A1-M1 link over a part of the Naseby battlefield as the unit frontages became a vital tool for determining if the road would cross any of the actual fighting zone. Obviously the spacings of the troops has a direct impact on unit frontages.

Primary sources suggest that the frontage for musketeers was 3 feet and 18 inches per pikeman. In both cases the depth was 3 feet (again meaning 18 inches between ranks) There is a margin note in Bariffe that states that this should be measured from the centre line of each soldier. So a musketeer would 18 inches away from the next musketeer (3 feet divided by 2) less the width of his shoulder. In general terms close order for pikemen and order for musketeers. In both cases spacings between ranks are on a depth of 3 feet (again 18 inches per man less body space).

Given that there is no mention of formally measuring intervals I would suggest that the spacing between soldiers would be measured by stretching an arm out so the finger tips just touched the next mans shoulder to establish open order, with right hand on hip elbow touching next man is order, and shoulder to shoulder is close order. Remember that Pikemen in close order would turn to bring the smallest body profile towards the enemy as they charged pikes which would provide a little manouver space between files.

For cavalry the spacings are between the horses and do not include the width of the horse (if I recall my Elton correctly.