Page 76 - All About History - Issue 59-17

Greatest Battles

Armour fatigue
The Austrian knights initially
made inroads into the Swiss’
tight square formation, but
when the Swiss reinforcements Legend of Winkelried
arrived they had grown weary Swiss historians embellished the battle in the late 16th
from fighting in full armour. century by fabricating the tale of the legendary Arnold Minimal protection
They were no match for the von Winkelried. This selfless hero supposedly threw Swiss infantry had no standard
fresh troops. himself on the sharp tips of half a dozen enemy lances armour that they wore into battle.
so that those fighting alongside him would have a path They wore long-sleeved leather
into the seemingly impenetrable Austrian line. jerkins or multi-layered, padded
jackets to absorb sword blows.
Many soldiers wore some type of
light, open-faced helmet such as a
round skull cap, sallet or kettlehat
to protect their head. The freedom
from armour enhanced their
mobility on the battlefield.

Swiss shock troops
Inside the square were special troops
whose function it was to rush out and
engage the enemy in close-quarters
combat. They carried a variety of
weapons such as the morning star,
which consisted of a mace topped with
sharp spikes.

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