The pikemen of the 17th century were the heavy infantry of armies across Europe. Armed with an 16-foot long ash spear the pikemen in the English Civil Wars were used in several roles. Their primary function was to defend the musket blocks from attack by mounted cavalry, but they would also be used offensively to attack enemy formations of pike and musket at close quarters. Historical records seem to indicate that the armies had twice as many musketeers as pikemen.

The pike was considered the "Gentleman's Arm" during the English Civil War Period. This may have had something to do with the fact that it takes a lot of strength and stamina to handle a piece of wood that big, so most pikemen were the largest men that could be found, the sort of people you wouldn't want to upset!

 Typically a pikeman would wear doublet and breeches, a morion type helmet, back and breast armour and tassets (plates guarding the thighs, that attach to the bottom of the breastplate). He would also be armed with a short sword.