Mid-16th Swiss Troop ratios

[GARS1900]

I’ve been eying The Assault Group’s Royal Swiss, and I wonder; what was the ratio of pike to shot for such units by the mid 16th century? I know that earlier in the century a ratio of 1 arquebusier for every ten men was considered normal for Swiss mercenaries, but was that the case by the mid century? You see a general rise in the number of arquebuisers by this point in a lot of armies, but I would think the Swiss would be pretty conservative.

[Grafthomond]

French contracts for Swiss troops dated 1567, 1568 and 1570 stipulate a ratio of approximately 9 polearms (mainly pikes) to every 1 firearm.  So, not much change from the Italian Wars era.

[GARS1900]

That’s really interesting; I admit, I’m surprised. I would have guessed a higher ratio. Then again, I get the impression the Swiss were kinda known for their conservatism,

[swiftnick]

Is that because they would mainly have crossbows?

[olicana]

During the Italian wars the Swiss (pretty sure it was them in foreign service somewhere - memory fails on specifics) tried 1:6 for a short period. My guess is that it varied anywhere between 1:10 to 1:6 depending on what was available/required to/by their employer/recruiting agent.

[Phillius]

I'm not really surprised by the ratio of shot to pike being 1:9 in this period. The Swiss had a reputation for ferocity and, apparently, still a great love for "getting stuck in" during this period.

It's a long time since I have read a lot about this period, but my memory seems to be that they were primarily pike and formed solid core around which the rest of the Royal Armies formed.

But I'm getting old so memory may be playing up!

[Khurasan Miniatures]

That was less true after Bicocca, Phillius. They always were exceptionally sturdy and stubborn pikemen, and typically bested landsknechts in a straight fight, but they were no longer engaging in head-down, barrel ahead attacks like they did at Novara and Marignano. 

Grafthomond’s number for the Swiss of 9/1 is quoted in Wood’s “The King’s Army.”  He also mentions Landsknechts in the same period being 7/3.

[SirRoystonPapworth]

If you are paying for Swiss mercenaries, wouldn’t you want top notch pikeman rather than average shooters (whether crossbow or firearm)?

After all you hire other shot for considerably less…