Pike Drill

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The pike drill that Clann Tartan uses is based upon a Dutch drill manual published in 1607 (Wapenhandelingh, by Jacob de Gheyn.) As noted in the Mercenary Primer section of the manual, Scots mercenaries served with the Dutch in the 1570's and up through the Dutch involvement in the 30 Years War.  This drill manual includes the "postures," or motions used to handle musket, caliver and pike.  (The caliver was a type of matchlock gun.) It served as the first standard system of small arms drill and was copied across the whole of Western Europe.   The following are the pike commands and positions as they have been adapted by Clann Tartan.  The Clann has altered the wording for some of them to make them more clear.  For example we do not say "Charge your pike for horse and draw your sword”. It is too easy to anticipate and charge your pike, and we prefer not to draw swords at close quarters.  Thus we say "Prepare your sword and charge your pike”. The following orders will show drill in order from picking the pike up off the ground and going through all the motions from one to the next.  Refer to illustrations for final positions. Mount your pike!  Reach down and cup the butt of the pike with the right hand, grasp the shaft with the left hand and stand up bringing the pike to the "advance" position. Order your Pike!  (3 moves) Grasp the pike shaft at shoulder height with the left hand.  Lower the pike and move the right hand up above the head and grasp the pike.  Set the pike butt on the ground with the right hand and place the left hand on the left hip. Advance your pike!  (3 moves) Reach down with the left hand and grasp the shaft at hip level.  Raise the pike off the ground and cup the butt with the right hand.  Move the left hand to left hip and hold the pike vertically. Shoulder your pike!  (3 moves) Move the pike out in front of your body and grasp it at shoulder level with your left hand.  Move your right hand and grasp the shaft at head level.  Lean the pike against your right shoulder and move your left hand to your left hip. Advance your pike!  (reverse the moves for going to shoulder) Port your pike!  (2 moves) Grasp the shaft with your left hand at shoulder level.  Step forward with the left foot and point the pike out at about a 45 degree angle. Advance your pike!  (2 moves, the reverse of port.) Charge your pike!  (2 moves) Grasp pike with the left hand at shoulder height.  Step forward with the left foot and lower the pike to horizontal with a Highland yell! Advance your pike!  (2 moves, the reverse of charge.) Prepare your sword and charge your pike!  (no set number of moves) Set the pike butt on the ground next to the arch of your right foot.  Grasp the pike with your left hand and step out with your left foot into a crouch with your pike aimed at the chests of the enemies' horses.  Reach over your left arm and grasp your sword, ready to draw it from the scabbard. Order your pike!  No set number of motions.  Stand up and come to the “order your pike” position. To the Rear, charge your pike!  (3 moves) Grasp the shaft with the left hand at shoulder level.  Turn your head to the LEFT and look to the rear.  Step to the Rear with your left foot and lower the pike straight back to the horizontal charge posture with a Highland yell! Advance your pike!  (3 moves) Raise the pike to vertical.  Turn RIGHT to face original position.  Place left hand on left hip. Inspect your pike!  Palm the pike backwards, hand-over-hand, while turning it and examining it.  Stop with the right hand holding the shaft just below the head at hip level, and the shaft jutting back behind you and resting on the ground. Trail your pike!  Walk forward with the butt dragging on the ground behind you.  Cover the tip with your left hand to prevent stabbing anyone in close quarters. To recover from "trail" or "inspect".  Palm the pike forward, hand-over-hand until the command position is reached. (From shoulder your pike) To the rear charge your pike!  (3 moves) Grasp the shaft at shoulder level with the left hand.  Turn your head LEFT and look to the rear.  Lift the pike over your head with your left hand and step to the rear with your LEFT foot and come to the charge position.  To recover to shoulder, reverse the motions. Suggestions for officers. It is awkward to go from "Prepare your sword and charge your pike" directly to Advance, or Shoulder.  Give the command to Order first, since the pike butts are already on the ground. Remember not to leave the men in one position for long periods whether during drills or marching.  Corporals and sergeants should watch each other, and bring the men to a more relaxed posture if the officer drilling the men gets distracted.