A phalanx is a rectangular array of infantry, typically spearmen or pikemen.
The formation was typically close order so the weapons could be used to keep enemies at a distance.
The first phalanxes appear on Sumerian inscriptions, and they dominate the battlefield for millennia, reaching their culmination in the Macedonian phalanx under Alexander the Great and his successors.
Phalanxes are generally good on forward defense, but have difficulty advancing and are weak on the flanks.
They were largely replaced by the much more mobile Roman legion, though phalanxes of pikemen were employed against mounted knights with considerable success.
said he. "I know.html">know not why the young shoots should be plucked, and
reason, since God hath so planned it. Did you not note, Alleyne,
was coming upon us?"
"She did, my lord."
"By Saint Paul! my mind misgives me as to what she saw.html">saw at Twynham
rovers could land in such force as to beleaguer the fortalice.
shame to us if we are not at Dax upon the trysting day."
The archers had spread themselves over the ruins, but a blast
they could bear with them stuffed into their pouches or slung
dropping silently into his place, Sir Nigel ran a questioning eye
and sinewy, and brown.html">brown, clear-eyed, hard-featured, with the stern
indeed for a leader to seek for a choicer following. Here and
and lean, with fierce, puckered features and shaggy, bristling
fresh English faces, their beards combed out, their hair curling
earrings gleaming in their ears, while their gold-spangled
wore round their thick brown necks, all spoke of the brave times
stave slung over his shoulder, plain and serviceable with the
others. Steel caps, mail brigandines, white surcoats with the
their belts, completed this equipment, while in some cases the
bowstave, being fastened to their leathern shoulder-belt by a
he looked upon their free bearing and fearless faces.
For two hours they marched through forest and marshland, along
Company, with Alleyne at his right hand, and Johnston, the old
their journey's end the knight had learned all that he would know
marched, they saw upon the further bank of the river a body of
Villefranche.
"It is the Seneschal of Toulouse, with his following," said
.
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