Reiters

‘Reiter’ means simply ’rider’, or cavalryman, but in the 16th Century, when German mercenary cavalry were-used in great numbers, came especially to signify a mercenary mounted pistolier.

At the outset of our period, the German cavalry, like that of other nations, centred on the man-at-arms with full armour and lance. However, they seem to have been generally inferior to, say, their French counterparts, lacking horse-armour and not being well-protected themselves.

Maximilian’s projected Compagnies d’Ordonnance were probably an attempt to deal with this, but apparently did not survive long. German men-at-arms also seem to have used deep formations, unlike the single rank used elsewhere. This deep column or wedge formation was recommended by a German writer of the 1480s (number of files in each rank, from the front): 7, 9,11,13,15, 17,19 (with banner), 21; then 20 ranks of 45.

The first German cavalry met in large-scale mercenary service appear around the 1540s, and may represent the lighter ‘archer’ types who would have supported the men-at-arms. These ’reiters’, as hired by Henry VIII, were armoured cavalry on unarmoured horses, with as their main weapon a boar-spear (a broad-bladed spear around eight or nine feet long, usually witn a small cross-bar below the blade). The wheel-lock pistol, a German invention, was soon carried in addition to the spear, and by mid-century was displacing it, to produce the typical ’Reiter’ who played an important role in warfare to the end of our period, serving in almost all European armies.

Their armour could vary from (in the mid-16th Century) mail shirt or cape, through corselet, often with mail sleeves, to three-quarter armour like that illustrated, with helmets from simple ‘iron-hat’ to closed types (open burgonets or morions the most usual). A Reiter would carry up to three large ‘faustrohe’ type pistols, two in holsters at the saddle bow, the third sometimes thrust perilously into his right boot. Their armour was often blackened (a common anti-rust measure) giving rise to the name ‘Schwarz Reiter‘.The French, either from theirfighting qualities or behaviour off the field, called them Diables Noirs.

A Imperial musketeer, 30 Years' War. Conical floppy felt hat seems to be typical and is seen on some cavalry and pikemen too. Musketeers, as well as pikemen and officers, are sometimes seen wearing a sash, as here. It is worn over the right shoulder, possibly so as to avoid obstructing the bandolier, worn over the left. Note hanging sleeves of the outer jacket, which seem to be common. The rag around the hat, and the sash, are likeiy to have been red. Dagger is attached to belt rear, not bandolier. Bandolier also carries a bullet bag and powder flask. The very voluminous breeches are also typical, b-e Grenz troops of the 17th Century. From left to right, their areas are indicated by their costumes — Karstadt, Warasdin, Zengg and Slavonia. The Slavonian is a cavalryman, the others could be infantry. The coats slung from the shoulder gave rise to the later Hussar pelisse. f-g Hungarian cavalrymen, from a 1636 print. Shaven heads and chins with big moustaches and eagle feathers in the caps seem to be typical. The chap on the right is obviously not fully won over to firearms yet! The fur-brimmed caps, like many Poles wore, and striped sash are also typical, as are the very tight trousers which bulge out slightly over their boots, h German Imperial Herald (after Holbein). Heralds like this were still used in the early 16th Century. Note double-headed black eagle, also seen on flags, i 30 Years’ War cuirassier in rather Eastern-style armour, similar to a Polish hussar, j Imperial cuirassier, 30 Years' War. Wears a heimet with barred visor, three-quarter armour, red sash and floppy leather boots. This is a fairly typical style of cuirassier armour, which couid also be worn by Dutch, English or French cuirassiers of the period. Note peak at top of visor, shaped kneepieces and unusual elbow pieces.

Rose Models 54 mm scale Lansknecht figures (photo courtesy Rose Models).

Reiters were organised in rather large squadrons of usually 300 to 350 men, and in battle formed in close order blocks often to 20 ranks each. As with infantry 'shot’, this deep order was primarily to give the rear men time to reload; each rank would ride up to close range of the enemy, fire, and file off to flank and rear to reload, until sufficient damage had been done to allow a ponderous charge to contact at the trot, using thrusting sword and clubbed pistols. They were rather vulnerable to lancers who charged home, partly because a rider with a large and not very gas-tight pistol could not fire straight ahead without injuring, or at least seriously annoying his horse, so that the rank engaged usually turned sideways-on to fire, thus getting hit in the flank by the lancers.

Accounts of their fighting prowess vary, but in the French Wars of Religion their efficiency was reported to be such that ‘a man could see nothing but fire and steel’, and heavy losses in some engagements argue for determination.

As well as pistoliers, Germany in this period produced smaller numbers of mounted arquebusiers, and the Turkish frontier was a useful source of irregular troops. The non-Turkish part of Hungary produced militia, and from 1548 ’Hussars’ (meaning the twentieth man, one from every 20 having to serve) were found in the Austrian forces, while in the 1530s Austria began to settle Serb and Croat refugees along her Turkish border in return for their service as ’Grenzers’, or frontier troops. Infantry and cavalry from these sources would serve against the Turks but the cavalry seem to have first made an impact in Europe in the 30 Years’ War, the infantry not till the 18th Century. In the 16th Century Serbian hussars carried a light Turkish lance, while Hungarians were horse archers but seem to have been primarily armed with the sword, especially the long straight armour-piercing variety.