Push of pike where two opposing columns of pikemen meet and become locked in position. English civil war reenactment, Siege of Basing House 16.09.23

Push of pike where two opposing columns of pikemen meet and become locked in position. English civil war reenactment, Siege of Basing House 16.09.23 Stock Photo
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Image details

Contributor:

Stephen Frost / Alamy Stock Photo

Image ID:

2T5TEHT

File size:

68.7 MB (3.3 MB Compressed download)

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Dimensions:

6000 x 4000 px | 50.8 x 33.9 cm | 20 x 13.3 inches | 300dpi

Date taken:

16 September 2023

Location:

The St, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England

More information:

During push of pike, opposing blocks of pikemen would advance with their pikes "charged" horizontally at shoulder level to jab at one another until bodily contact was made. The two sides would then push physically until one or other of them gave way. The push of pike would continue until one of the opposing formations routed or fled, which would generally lead to massive casualties. Basing House, home of John Paulet, the fifth Marquess of Winchester, was known as Loyalty House for the fierce commitment of the Marquess to the Royalist cause in the English Civil War. As the House guarded the main road from London to the west country (now the A30) it was strategically important during the war. This led to it being besieged on three separate occasions, culminating in its fall at the hands of Oliver Cromwell and its subsequent destruction.