medieval pike uniforms for milan

[Curst Eckie]

Hi there,

I'm looking for advice on uniforms for mercenary Swiss or Italian pike employed by Milan, 1400's onwards for my 28mm Perry Plastics pike. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Many thanks

John

[painterman]

John,
I can recommend this blog - http://stemmieimprese.it/page/3/ - in italian but translatable via google. The author's also published some good books for mid-15th century Italian battles.
From memory Milanese colours tended to be red/green/white?
Hope thats of some use?
Simon

[Curst Eckie]

Thanks Simon,

A great prompt response, I saw your Tuscan Italian project, really beautiful painting. I'm using these initially to provide troops for a Milanese Dragon Rampant warband with flyers and an armoured car.

Thanks again

John

[Berg]

Thanks for the link, I am looking for the same kind of information.

[Arlequín]

I'm sure Milan was red and white, with the 'ducal guard' or 'civic guard' in just green (hence the colours of the current Italian Flag)... but memory might be failing me there and it could relate to a later time.

As far as I recall Swiss mercenaries, like the Landsknechts, are supposed to have wore what they pleased, unlike the cantonal troops themselves who were uniformed... the whole slashed fashion beginning with what they liberated on the battlefield and subsequently wore after 'altering' it to fit.