“The evolution of medieval infantry saw the rise of communal armies and the development of tactical formations such as the Swiss pike square. These formations allowed infantry to resist and defeat heavily armored knights by employing massed pikes to create impenetrable barriers.
“Clifford J. Rogers, historian specializing in medieval military history, and author of “The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology.”
In this article, we will explore how this evolution of warfare transpired and the time period in which it occurred.
The evolution of warfare from the dominance of knights to the rise of infantry foot soldiers took place over several centuries. The earliest signs of this change can be traced back to the 14th century, when the English longbowmen proved to be a formidable force on the battlefield.
The longbow and its range and accuracy made it effective against even heavily armored knights.
The use of gunpowder weapons in the 15th century further eroded the dominance of knights. The first handheld firearms, such as the arquebus, were inaccurate and slow to reload, but they could still penetrate armor at close range. As gunpowder technology advanced, so did the effectiveness of firearms, making them more and more deadly against knights.
At the same time, infantry foot soldiers were becoming better organized and better trained. The use of pikes and other polearms, such as the halberd, allowed infantry to hold their own against charging knights. They could also form defensive formations that were difficult for knights to penetrate, such as the famous Swiss pike square.
The emergence of centralized nation-states in Europe also played a role in the decline of knights. As monarchs gained more power and resources, they were able to raise larger armies of foot soldiers.
These armies were often composed of peasant levies, who could be equipped with basic weapons and trained in basic tactics relatively quickly and inexpensively. This made it possible to field armies that could outnumber and overwhelm the traditionally smaller armies of knights.
By the end of the medieval period, knights were no longer the dominant force on the battlefield. While they still played a role in battles, they were often used as shock troops or as a reserve force to exploit weaknesses in the enemy lines. The primary fighting force was now the infantry, composed of foot soldiers armed with pikes, halberds, and firearms.
In conclusion, the evolution of warfare from the dominance of knights to the rise of infantry foot soldiers took place over several centuries, beginning in the 14th century with the rise of the longbow and culminating in the 16th century with the widespread use of firearms.
The emergence of centralized nation-states, the development of new weapons and tactics, and the increased training and organization of infantry foot soldiers all played a role in this transformation. Today, the legacy of this evolution of warfare can still be seen in modern military tactics and technology.